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The Alliance, comprising Baumann Maschinenbau Solms, Bograma, H+H, Hohner, MBO Postpress Solutions, Perfecta and Wohlenberg, had been due to have a big presence at the event.

However, the Alliance will no longer feature in Germany, with the group citing ongoing uncertainty over the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic as the primary reason behind its decision.

“The situation is too uncertain of the daily changing travel restrictions worldwide, which denies an international audience and the possibility of a fair visit in Düsseldorf,” the Alliance says.

“The sense of participating in Drupa – according to the Postpress Alliance – has unfortunately been lost due to the pandemic.

“A sober consideration of the expected cost-benefit ratio shows the economic business basis for such an event would be missing without intercontinental visitors.

“The partners of the Postpress Alliance very much regret this step. The alliance still believes in Drupa as the world’s established leading trade show for the printing industry as soon as the right conditions are once again in place.”

Drupa had originally been due to take place this year, but was delayed until April 2021 due to Covid-19, with the rearranged event set to have a shorter run time than usual.

The sense of participating in Drupa – according to the Postpress Alliance – has unfortunately been lost due to the pandemic”

However, organisers have been hit by the withdrawal of a number of exhibitors due to lasting uncertainty over the Covid-19 situation.

Heidelberg, Xerox, Manroland, Zecher, Screen Bobst are among the other brands that will no longer appear at the exhibition.

Switching its focus away from Drupa for the time being, the Postpress Alliance will instead stage its first digital event.

The first edition of the new ‘Alliance Days’ virtual open house will take place from November 24th to 27th, with the aim of serving as a platform for companies to present the planned innovations to the public in a timely manner.

“We need and seek contact to our business partners are happy to be able to launch something so new in such a short time. It is uncharted territory for everyone involved,” the Alliance says.

“Neither we nor our dealers and end customers have much experience in this encounter on a virtual level.

“This concept means a lot to our management. They are firmly convinced that, even after Covid-19, targeted marketing concepts will require this duality of virtual appearances in combination with analogue physical events."

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Postpress Alliance withdraws from Drupa

The Postpress Alliance, a group of print finishing technology providers, has said it will no longer exhibit at Drupa next and will instead establish its own digital event.