By Robert Stabler, Managing Director, Koenig & Bauer Durst

As somebody with a keen interest in technology tipping points and how the interplay of different technologies can have far-reaching and often unpredictable consequences, I’m looking forward to my ‘fireside chat’ at the FuturePrint & Pack Summit in Cambridge on 11 November.

The opportunity to meet representatives from across the whole value chain including brands, retailers and converters is never to be missed, especially in the wake of these unprecedented times where meeting face to face at events has been in such short supply over the past two years.

However, from the discussions we’ve been having, it’s clear that the need for fast, automated, reliable and agile printing systems able to print JIT box variants, flue size and colours, as well as have a commitment to sustainability, is crucial.

Declining run lengths, shorter turnaround times, forecast accuracy and shorter product life cycles requiring fast ramp-up and efficient ramp down are all part of the challenges where high-speed digital packaging printing can provide answers. 

Brand provenance and consumer requirements for food safety and security are also important topics I’ll be discussing in Cambridge.

All of our single-pass systems – the CorruJET Series and SPC 130 presses for corrugated, and the recently-launched VariJET 106 for the folding carton market – benefit from food-safe water-based inks. All our systems use new water-based inks to ensure food safety compliance for primary packaging and to extend the colour gamut.

In a wider context, we also understand that technology providers such as ourselves have an important role behind the scenes in helping brands to overcome their challenges. We can offer advice on design and workflow capability, web order tools and end-to-end integration to ERP systems. 

I’m sure these will also be important topics and it will be a worthwhile event to attend.

Hope to see you in Cambridge!