HP has joined the long list of major companies that already pulled out of drupa 2021. This is a major blow to already embattled drupa organizer, Messe Düsseldorf. HP’s representative in a written statement to ME Printer magazine said:” In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and safety of our employees and customers remains our highest priority and therefore HP will not have a physical presence at Interpack and Drupa 2021.”
HP had booked the entire hall 17. This huge space will be difficult for Messe Düsseldorf to fill. Although the major manufacturers have already decided not to have a physical presence in drupa some companies including Koenig and Bauer, Landa, Kurz and many others still believe drupa is a must attend show. During recent Interview with ME Printer magazine Claus Bolza-Schünemann, CEO of Koenig and Bauer said: “There is no question that there are fewer exhibitions around the world than the past. However, we do actually believe that showing technologies and solutions for the graphic industry in a general Exhibition has an extremely broad view. In an exhibition you have the opportunity to see all or most of companies who are active in the printing world under one roof and this is a great advantage. And I think this is also a charming part of the exhibitions such as drupa for the customers who are visiting the show. They have the possibility to see not only printing presses from several suppliers but also all the solutions around it. Therefore, I think very large exhibitions that are being held once in a while such as China Print or drupa are still attractive.”
