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Record number of deals signed at Drupa 2024

Drupa 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany, drew to a close on June 7 after 11 days. More than 1,600 exhibitors from 52 nations showcased their innovations and solutions. The international share of the trade show was 80 per cent, with visitors from 174 countries attending, which is a record figure. After Europe, Asia was the most strongly represented region with 22 per cent, followed by America with 12 per cent. Asia as well as Latin America and the MENA region are markets with great growth potential, which was reflected in the significant increase in exhibitors’ presence and order books. Many key players, such as Bobst, Canon, Fujifilm, Heidelberg, HP, Horizon, Koenig & Bauer, Komori Konica Minolta, Kurz and Landa, reported having signed contracts that significantly exceeded expectations. In some cases, the sales targets set were already achieved in the first few days of the trade fair.

Erhard Wienkamp, managing director at Messe Düsseldorf, said, “Drupa has underpinned its position as the industry’s leading trade fair and its unique appeal in a remarkable way. The impressive international flair and, above all, the high decision-making competence of the visitors ensured in-depth and well-founded technical discussions at the trade fair stands on the one hand and many direct investment decisions on the other. Our exhibitors told us about large-volume purchase agreements.”

Exhibitors praised the high level of decision-making competence of visitors. They, in turn, gave top marks to the range of products and services on offer in the 18 exhibition halls. Around 96 per cent of all visitors confirmed they had fully achieved the objectives associated with their visit. At over 50 per cent, most of them came from the printing industry, followed by the packaging industry, whose share has increased significantly and which was the focus of many exhibitors as a growth driver. Many well-known brand owners were welcomed at the trade fair stands. In total, 170,000 trade visitors attended Drupa 2024.

Automation took centre stage at this year’s Drupa, with a strong focus on AI and smart workflows, including software solutions. It became clear that digital and analogue technologies ideally complement and benefit from each other. Traditional industry leaders presented a wide range of digital solutions, while digital pioneers integrated conventional components into their offerings. Robotics played an important role in the exhibition halls and illustrated the path towards the smart factory.

The next Drupa will be held in 2028.