As drupa 2024 concludes at Messe Düsseldorf, we are reflecting on our commitment to lead the transformation of the printing and packaging industry towards a profitable future. The event exceeded expectations, highlighting a significant shift in the digital versus analogue debate. There was a clear emphasis on automation and digitization, with HP’s Intelligent Automation giving printers and converters the confidence to seamlessly integrate digital and conventional technologies.
Analogue and Digital
Over the past two decades, HP has spearheaded the analogue-to-digital transformation, by advancing five key vectors in digital print: quality, versatility, productivity, economics, and sustainability. At drupa 2024, both conventional and digital players showcased integrated solutions, demonstrating the complementary nature of digital and analogue technologies. HP’s focus was on exhibiting how our digital transformation, powered by Inkjet and LEP/LEPx technologies, the PrintOS platform, and our extensive partner ecosystem, facilitates the smooth operation of integrated processes, leading to more responsible and profitable factories.
Intelligent Automation
At drupa 2024, HP showcased Intelligent Automation across eight production lines, addressing key customer challenges such as labor shortages, energy consumption, waste reduction, mass customization, and on-demand production. We demonstrated how our Intelligent Production lines, operating 24/7 within a smart supply chain, will secure a promising future for brand owners, printers, and converters. Our cloud-based PrintOS infrastructure, including the newly accessible PrintOS Site Flow for non-HP equipment, exemplifies the future of print production.
Forward-Thinking and Confidence
The shift from mass production to mass customization reflects a critical demand from brand owners. HP’s booth demonstrated innovations that are answering this need and pushing the boundaries of print production. “HP’s AI and robotics-enhanced production lines, now commercially available, validate our ability to turn vision into reality,” noted Haim Levit, Senior Vice President & Division President of HP Industrial Print. ” Our innovation, powered by productive and flexible production lines, successfully demonstrated the shift from low-cost to low-risk supply chains, on presses like the HP Indigo 120K, V12, 200K, and the HP PageWide Advantage 2200, all of which are connected to finishing equipment for non-stop operation.”
A Clear Vision for the Future
With over 170,000 participants, drupa 2024 underscored the industry’s eagerness to adopt more efficient and sustainable practices. For printers and converters, the expansion of digital technology will be a key priority. HP’s vision for the future of Intelligent Automation in printing production is clear: “Welcome to the next 20 years,” added Levit.
