HALLELUJAH!
Every four years is PRINT, the largest graphic arts trade show in North America. PRINT ’05 was held September 9 – 15 at the McCormick Center in Chicago, and, from the moment the doors opened, we knew it would be a good show.
Kluge exhibited five machines; all of which were sold prior to the show.
The Kluge Kawahara TXR-1100 Blank Separator, sold to Abox Packaging in Kaufman, Texas, blanked out 100-up credit cards, 12-up boxes and 32-up NFL footballs.
The Kluge Rebuilt EHD Series Foil Stamping, Embossing and Die Cutting Press, sold to Seaboard Bindery in Woburn, Massachusetts, finished promotional posters for the Smithsonian Institute announcing the opening of their new exhibit “Picturing Words.”
The Kluge EHF Series Foil Stamping, Embossing and Die Cutting Press finished covers which were then bound by DUPLO USA into writing booklets. Once again, Kluge is proud of the fact that as we demonstrate our equipment we are also producing a finished piece that is then donated to a worthy cause, in this case Montessori schools.
The Kluge UniFold Automatic Folder Gluer System, sold to Neyenesch Printers in San Diego, California, finished pocket folders that had a plastic business card tipped on to it.
The Kluge OmniFold Automatic Folder Gluer System finished a very impressive media envelope. This envelope had three tape applications as well as two separate CD sleeves incorporated into it.
For Kluge, the show could not have gone better. “Attendance was steady,” noted Hank Brandtjen, “and the quality of the attendees was excellent. We had numerous companies that came by early into the show and then made return visits to finalize their order.”
“I am humbled, in a way, by the reputation Kluge has. We take it as a challenge, though, and I believe it keeps us focused. We are a U.S. manufacturer known for building reliable equipment that meets the demands of our niche markets. Now, of course, comes the all important post-show follow up. Leads are important, but we know we now need to work with our customers to make sure we can answer their questions and meet their needs.”
Overall, Print ’05 was a great success. As well as seeing technological advances on our latest equipment, and having the opportunity to talk to Kluge technicians and salesmen, attendees were able to walk home with some unique product samples. We now look forward to what Graph Expo ’06 will bring next October.