Filler (pictured, on the right), managing director of Screen UK, made the call to arms at the printing industry confederation's AGM, as he took over the role from George Clarke (pictured, on the left), managing director of Heidelberg UK and President of Ipex 2010.
"I believe that the credit crunch has brought its own benefits and it is a challenge that could make our industry stronger," says Filler. "It is certainly going to make the survivors more efficient, slimmer and fitter." He also urged companies to see opportunities in the challenges and to prepare for a re-emerging, revitalising world economy, with Ipex 2010 playing a vital role. "Ipex is a strongly promoted international showcase, designed to give the industry a lift," he says. "Britain is a world leader in print and with Ipex we have a major opportunity to demonstrate our capability to the world. It is true that to accumulate, we must speculate, and to do that we must participate."
"I echo Brian's call for optimism and action in these difficult times," says George Clarke, "and I am confident that he will be an energetic and effective Chairman of Picon over the next two years."
Tim Webb, executive director of Picon, which formerly owned Ipex, also agrees with Filler's sentiments. "This is the first Ipex since it was sold to IIR," he says. "Picon is fully behind Ipex to ensure it is a great success. The exhibition is of primary importance to at least two-thirds of our membership and we expect it to be punchy, positive and looking to the future."
Picon says it has recently completed a programme of reorganisation and rejuvenation. It has launched a new website at www.picon.com and is focusing on internal member services. Having greatly reduced its overheads, it has accordingly increased its investment in providing effective and valuable services for its members, says Picon. The confederation has claimed considerable success from its lobbying activities, which contributed to the government increasing the capital allowance for business in the last Budget. It also carries out a monthly survey of its members' businesses at the government's request, providing it with a clear snapshot of that sector.
About Picon
Picon says: “Picon Ltd is the business support organisation dedicated to the promotion and ongoing development of UK manufacturers and suppliers to the printing, publishing, papermaking and paper converting industries. Picon's long association with the industry has enabled it to develop into a leading, forward thinking business organisation that aims to meet the needs of its members. From multi-nationals to SMEs, the growth and complexity of its membership continues to reflect the evolution and diversity of the sector, where the products and services provided are shaping the future direction of the global graphic communications industry.”
