Has spring really arrived? Will it bring with it a resurgence of investment? Is IPEX falling at the right time? These are the questions being asked in the print and finance worlds, although it's the latter that's appearing to be of greater relevance.
It would seem we are finally seeing the end of a very cold and long winter that has done nothing to help the fragile economies of the world. However, as the spring bulbs start to flower, we can reflect on a gradually improving market, which although not flourishing to the extent we would like, is at least moving in the right direction. Orders are increasing and printers are generally busier now than they have been over the last eighteen months, meaning that in the end, investment will have to follow.
So what for IPEX? I don’t think we should view IPEX as a saviour that will mark the end of the recession and a return to past glories; however, it can help to keep the momentum in the market going in the right direction. Companies will need to invest over the coming twelve to eighteen months and most will be looking for a technological advantage over their competitors. IPEX provides the opportunity to view existing and new equipment that will better complete the job in hand, meaning a cost saving to the bottom line of the business, It will then be a decision on whether to invest immediately, or wait until the requirement becomes a necessity.
As for finance on equipment, the gradual improvement in the print market has been mirrored in the finance houses, and on a more limited scale, the banks, meaning that money for investment is available. This has been well proven recently with the finance of digital equipment being more readily available in the market... If you know where to look!