[Guest Article] destination drupa: Finishing first at drupa with VITS International

In all corners of the earth, there are thousands of stories to be told about the impact drupa has had on the businesses, as well as the people, that make up the global print industry. In just a few short months, drupa will be in full swing, and there is sure to be a particular buzz on the finishing side; according to the most recent drupa Global Trends Report, finishing equipment is the number one focus for investment.

For VITS International, a supplier of variable data sheeting and finishing systems for the printing, packaging, digital, and converting markets, 2020 will be the third time the company has made the trip to Dusseldorf to be a part of the world’s largest print trade fair. The company is led by Girls Who Print paragon Deirdre Ryder, President and CEO as well as Chairman of the Board of the Association for PRINT Technologies and President of Global Print. Deirdre shared her drupa story with us.

In 2012 VITS America rebranded to VITS International and took its place on the world stage at drupa. Armed with a new product line, the company was prepared to serve its global customer base, grow a new customer base, and cement its international reputation with the speed and credibility that can result from exhibiting at drupa.

Deirdre says:

“Our first drupa in 2012 was the perfect opportunity to build on our established success and reputation, and expand our presence in the global market. Our success at drupa 2016 was undoubtedly fuelled by our success in 2012; we were able to keep the drupa buzz and maintain our sales momentum in the years between the shows, establishing VITS as an innovative and viable finishing partner on a global scale. drupa gave us a chance to prove that we could stand toe-to-toe with our competition, and to demonstrate that we understand the needs of worldwide print businesses.”

And prove themselves they did! By the time drupa 2016 rolled around, inkjet was advancing rapidly, and VITS International was ready and waiting to meet the finishing demands of the market. Now, thanks to a lot of hard work combined with ‘the drupa effect’, VITS has the luxury of going into drupa 2020 as an established and respected name in finishing.

So why is a presence at drupa so crucial to American businesses? For VITS International, to miss out on drupa is to miss out on a truly global opportunity.

“I think we lose some of the global footprint by not going to Europe, and especially this show. It’s an incredible business advantage to exhibit at drupa and see what other companies are offering and how they work, to compare and maybe learn how you could do it better, even see needs in the marketplace not being filled.”

Deirdre maintains that it’s not just exhibiting at drupa that can boost your business – printers in North America should be seriously considering the opportunity to experience the epicentre of global print first hand.

“I think it’s a smart move for an American printer to go to see just about all types of machinery for our industry all in one place. There’s nowhere else in the world that you’re going to see the wide range of equipment, whether it’s low cost or high cost, high speed or low speed, narrow width or very wide width. It really is the one stop shop for everything in the printing industry.”

Every four years, drupa gives us all a chance to benchmark where the industry is and where it is heading, no matter which products, equipment, or sectors you’re interested in, and then take that experience, knowledge, and insight into the years ahead. For VITS International (and hundreds of other businesses the world over), drupa planning is well underway, although Deirdre is staying tight-lipped about what’s in store in the booth…for now.

“Anyone interested in finishing systems should make sure to stop by and see VITS International in Hall 16, booth D59 – we promise you won’t be disappointed!”

 

About the Author:

Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse™ at Print Media Centr, a Print Buyerologist™, industry speaker and blogger, host of Podcasts from The Printerverse, cultivator of Print Production Professionals the #1 print group on LinkedIn, Head Girl in Charge (H.G.I.C.) at GirlsWhoPrint.net, host of #PrintChat every Wednesday at 4PM ET on Twitter, the founder of International Print Day and the founder of #ProjectPeacock. She is the recipient of several industry honors including the 2016 Girls Who Print Girlie Award, and sits on the boards of the Advertising Production Club of NYC and The Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi.