News

The easyFairs® PACKAGING INNOVATIONS, ECOPACK, PACKTECH and CONTRACT PACK shows featured 340 exhibitors and attracted almost 4,000 visitors. That represented a huge audience increase of 118% compared to the 2007 event.

And the company – which organises around 20 packaging shows across Europe – has just announced its intention to make its debut in the Emerald Isle next year with easyFairs® EMPACK Ireland. To be staged at one of the country’s foremost venues – the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Centre, June 18 & 19 2009 – the show will mirror the EMPACK formula which has proved successful in territories across Europe.

The show’s focus is packaging machinery, printing systems, robotics automation, and converting technology, but sustainable packaging solutions, eco-friendly materials, contract pack services, and the latest packaging innovations will also be on offer. In addition, there’s an area dedicated to packaging logistics solutions such as pallets, boxes and containers, wrapping, labelling, and coding systems for improved product tracking.

Peter Heath, Managing Director of easyFairs® UK, said: “The print and packaging industry is really booming in Ireland: it employs over 16,500 people in 600 companies and generates a turnover in excess of €2.4bn a year with output having increased by 26 per cent in the last five years.

“Ireland demands its own packaging show, a place where the thriving packaging community can meet buyers and decision makers from European food and drink, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and packaged goods companies. I am sure that the easyFairs time and cost-effective formula will prove popular with the Irish market, and the level playing field format will enable small, niche suppliers to exhibit alongside larger companies. ”

easyFairs® new EMPACK shows in France and Germany each attracted more than 100 exhibitors in their inaugural year, whilst more established expos in Benelux and Scandinavia regularly feature up to 400 stands.

“I’m confident easyFairs® EMPACK Ireland can grow to become as successful as our shows in the UK and Europe,” added Mr Heath. “I envisage the show will comprise mainly Irish exhibitors, but also appeal to many European packaging suppliers who exhibit at EMPACK editions elsewhere.”

Ireland is one of several new packaging show destinations being explored by easyFairs® and next year the company also makes its debut in Russia (St. Petersburg, October) and in Poland (Warsaw April).

Poland’s booming food and beverages, medical and packaged good sectors are crying out for exciting, innovative packaging solutions, plus many western firms use Poland as a test country for new brand ideas.

And the packaging market in Russia is expanding by 10-12% per year, more than double the average in other industrialised nations, but there’s still huge potential for growth as the level of packaging consumption per capita is lower than the world average.

For more information, please contact Brigg Ford at Energy PR on 01993 823011 or email brigg@energypr.co.uk.

Notes to Editors:

1. As Europe’s leading organiser of time and cost-effective trade shows, easyFairs’ aim is to make it easy for goals-oriented exhibitors and visitors to do business in a focused and professional environment.

2. Bringing specialised trade shows to the very heart of markets across Europe at a fraction of the cost of normal trade shows, the easyFairs model is based on delivering all-inclusive and hassle-free stand packages for exhibitors and added value for visitors. The highly targeted shows are cost and time effective and also focus on providing networking and learning opportunities through the free independent learnShops™ seminars, where industry experts tackle the hottest topics.

3. Details of all easyFairs® shows can be found at www.easyfairs.com.