COVID and the continuing uncertainty have changed much of the world we live in now. The impact on events and business travel has been significant. We are seeing this play out now.

That may be just my opinion. But I think business travel budgets have not returned anywhere near their pre-covid level, I imagine, because we all experienced that the world continued to turn fairly well when events and business travel were suspended. But the reports from the conferences and the trade shows are the same, whether it is FESPA or anyone else. Numbers are down and we should not be surprised.

But a recent trip to Valencia reminded me that nothing can replace getting away from the home and the office and the energy and inspiration that you get from discovering and learning new things. In real life. Away from Zoom and Teams. While they may be convenient, they have significant limitations. Context, depth, understanding, experience and rapport for example!!

So for my first trip in months, (since October '22 I think ) to Valencia, I left in search of inspiration, and validation for a new idea for an event. We are fortunate to have partners all over the world, and some are enthusiastic about trying new things. This is certainly the case with the people of Kento Digital Printing. Three founders of a new business that is doing some challenging work and achieving some cool things in the corrugated space with inkjet.

I had heard much about Valencia but had never been there before. This is ridiculous when you think about it. I've been involved in printing since 2006. But for some reason, one of the major centres of development & integration for inkjet, and digital printing development has alluded me. This is a shame as there's clearly a lot going on here…Not least because Castellon located 30 mins from Valencia is a leading hub for ceramic production which, as a sector, quickly saw the biggest and quickest shift to digital inkjet of all the industrial sectors in that inkjet tech is active. In fact, we have all been expecting, hoping and searching for the next ceramic industry for inkjet for as long as I can remember. Could this be corrugated? This very question has been the theme at countless CCE exhibitions over the past decade!

Kento Digital Printing is already well known for disrupting digital print for the corrugated marketplace with its hybrid technology that combines the best of both worlds. So it was with this in mind we visited their HQ, viewed some venues, as well as visited Grupo La Plana in the Castellon region to view the Hybrid technology in action. See photos and videos below.

Grupo La Plana, located around 40 minutes drive up the coast from Valencia is a very impressive operation. It is a vast plant that is a match for any operation in the world in terms of capacity and technology for corrugated converting and printing. Kento's hybrid technology is installed there and it was great to see it working in real life.

As well as being able to view the technology, the innovation centre at Grupo La Plana is a creative celebration of the corrugated and folding carton innovation whether made from flexo printing, hybrid printing or digital only. View pics below

So we donned the requisite essential (but odd looking tbh) protective clothing (as the entire plant is food compliant) and met with Nicolas Sotomayor Blanch - a man who has worked around the world and for 20 years been very involved in integrating inkjet technologies. This kind of experience, allied to that of Kento’s, virtually guarantees a good result.

With this kind of showcase and installation, Kento has continued to develop and refine the technology. Combining the best of both worlds, (see a link to a previous story) of flexo and digital, Kento’s technology enables new creative possibilities, but perhaps more appealing than that (particularly given the current economic climate) is the fact that the technology offers cheaper production options for certain applications.

Not only is the technology impressive. With CTO Pedro Benito, COO Santiago Arnáiz and CEO Javier Quesada completing the leadership trio, the team has a powerful mix of skills and experience from running corrugated and folding carton plants worldwide to developing technology for industrial digital printing and operating businesses.

I also discovered Pedro once lived in Grimsby!! This was unexpected, but again, I discovered a few unexpected things on the trip!

You may have noticed that Kento’s corporate colour is ’teal’. You can this clearly in their corporate ID and there are splashes of this colour around the plant. I discovered there is a story behind this selection which is interesting and it originates from a business thinker that has gained traction in particular over the last 10 years.

Frederic Laloux's Reinventing Organizations is considered by many to be the most influential management book of the last decade. It has inspired thousands of organizations throughout the world to take a radical leap and adopt a whole different set of management principles and practices, in particular, how the business is structured. Kento is committed to running its business as a teal business which is focused more on devolved responsibility and self-management as opposed to command and control which can typify many manufacturing-focused businesses.

The team work from 7 to 3 pm, they have a devolved and flat structure. They are not burdened by bureaucracy and hindered by hierarchy. They are a growing and young team that have a purposeful energy as they are passionate and enthusiastic about what they do and this shines through in how they communicate. This flat and devolved culture where responsibility is shared and individual leadership is encouraged, really produces results. Kento’s progress has been impressive. This flexibility enables innovation and fosters a culture of two-way communication that best equips a business with the information and skill bases necessary for successful, and disruptive growth. And it is super motivating for the people who work there.

So, not only was the trip worthwhile in helping us to define our next event for FuturePrint TECH, but for me, it was a super inspiring, and enjoyable learning experience both for the technology and for the place. Valencia is an amazing City, with some amazing architecture, beaches, mountains, orange groves, and places to eat!

I would like to thank the Kento team for their enthusiasm and their hospitality, and I look forward to the team organising the first FuturePrint TECH: Packaging & Labels in Valencia 12-13 March.

Are you are interested in connecting with a new community of inkjet, and the inkjet industry people in Valencia in March 12-13 next year, then Register your interest here.