Ferrostaal, the world’s largest supplier-independent provider of printing equipment, was extremely positive about its performance at the drupa in Düsseldorf. In an increasingly difficult economic environment the industry had tensely looked forward to the world’s leading trade fair for the printing and paper industries which takes place every four years. An order volume of significantly above 40 million euros meant that it exceeded its own expectations, explained Bernd Ahlmann, who is responsible for the Printing division of the Essen-based company. The orders placed from around the globe came from all important markets, and roughly as many were signed in the traditional offset sector as in the new digital printing systems business.

Growth in business in the Gulf Region, where Ferrostaal has been establishing a network of branches for two years, was above average.  Overall the drupa confirmed a trend in the hard consolidation phase in the printing industry which the printing experts at Ferrostaal have been observing for a fairly long time: “The shrinking market is leading to a renaissance in trade,” explained Stephan Pintsch, who is responsible for Investment Management, “and Ferrostaal, with its global network, is ideally positioned for this.”