Canon and Ricoh have joined the constantly growing list of major companies pulling out of the postponed drupa 2021.
Recent weeks have seen EFI, HP, Fujiilm and Kodak also withdraw from the exhibition. HP had expected to be the biggest single exhibitor in Dusseldorf.
Ricoh
Ricoh’s vice president, commercial and industrial printing, Eef De Ridder, explainined his company’s thinking, ‘During the pandemic, we have been building a successful virtual approach to engaging with new and existing clients.
‘We are going to continue to grow this element of our interactivity in tandem with the more traditional ways of launching, promoting and demonstrating our continually expanding portfolio of solutions and services in commercial and industrial printing.’
Canon
Meanwhile Canon’s decision was announced by Mark Lawn, its director of professional print solutions digital, over LinkedIn. Mr Lawn explained, ‘The decision was made considering the concerns and risks involved in travelling and gathering large groups of people at this point in time.
‘Our business plans have been challenged a lot in 2020. We’ve adjusted projects, refocussed business priorities, and we’ve had to address how we can connect with the print community when face to face meetings have been compromised.
Others
Other major players to withdraw from drupa include Bobst, Heidelberg, Komori, Screen and Siegwerk, all of whom made their own announcements earlier in the summer.
Those who have reaffirmed their commitment to drupa 2021 include Koenig & Bauer and Landa, albeit the latter with an explicit caveat about ensuring the health of employees and customers.
The rearranged event is scheduled for 20-28 April, 2021, although starting in October, drupa will be making an online portal available to exhibitors and visitors.
