FINAT and Tarsus celebrate a 25-year partnership
Two iconic brands in the labelling industry, Labelexpo and FINAT, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of a successful partnership at this year’s Labelexpo Europe. The event is an appropriate opportunity for the partners to focus their vision once again on the broad canvas of the industry, which will be represented by the Labelexpo Europe exhibitors and visitors.
World’s leading showcase
Labelexpo Europe has gone from strength to strength since its debut in London in 1980, and this year’s show now occupies nine halls at the Brussels Expo – over 35,000m2 of floor space – accommodating over 700 exhibitors from 40 countries worldwide. It will also be providing the venue for this year’s Global Label Industry Awards presentation dinner.
Tarsus’ predecessor (the Labelex/Cowise Group) and FINAT signed their first Labelexpo agreement in 1991, and it is up for its fifth renewal towards the end of this decade. Meanwhile, similar partnerships have been developed with other regional associations around the world, such as TLMI (Labelexpo Americas, Chicago), LMAI (Labelexpo India, New Delhi) and, most recently, PEIAC Labels (Labelexpo Asia, Shanghai).
The transformation of Labelexpo Europe from a niche self-adhesive labelling event to an established global trade show, covering a much broader spectrum of labelling and package printing and converting technology, also reflects the changing shape of the industry; in terms of imaging technologies – particularly digital print – and packaging styles such as flexible pouches, shrink sleeves, and in-mould labelling. Label printers today are certainly positioned at the very heart of the lively packaging industry.
However, Labelexpo’s continuing success will depend very much on its ability to respond to market demands. In response, Labelexpo and FINAT have expanded their joint Labelexpo Advisory Board (LAB) – initially consisting of management representatives from Labelexpo and Board members from FINAT – to include a cross-section of exhibiting suppliers. Their efforts will deliver improvements in logistics, facility management, and visitor convenience for this year’s show.
Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Labelexpo Global Series, says: “Our collaboration with the Labelexpo Advisory Board (LAB) undoubtedly makes Labelexpo Europe an unmissable event for label and package printing professionals. Our close working relationship helps shape serious and practical content for the show, and has driven important improvements at the show’s home, Brussels Expo. The LAB is very influential within the wider label community and we are very appreciative of their ongoing support, invaluable input and expertise.”
Ralf Drache, director of sales and marketing at HERMA and FINAT liaison on the Labelexpo Advisory Board, adds: “Inspiring and supporting our industry is the greatest ambition of Labelexpo Europe. For many years now, the LAB has focused on the continuous improvement of this trendsetting trade show. Feedback and the expectations of both visitors and exhibitors, combined with the vision and experience of the Labelexpo Europe organisation, initiate a dynamic process of creating new measures and developing ideas. It’s an excellent example how FINAT represent the interests of its members and the entire label industry.”
FINAT managing Director, Jules Lejeune, adds: “Our information and support platform is continuously expanding in this fast-moving technology and business arena. We very much value our partnership with Tarsus and Labelexpo, in the Labelexpo Advisory Board and in all-round collaborative activities. It delivers real added value, and, as it has been for the last 25 years, is a key enabler in keeping our members at the leading edge of the label industry.”
FINAT will be welcoming current and potential members of the association on Stand 11A31 at Labelexpo.