INKISH.NEWS -

It's a fact that the coronavirus, for now, reduces CO2 emissions considerably. Almost all flights are reduced to a fraction, and factories produce less since many people consume less as well.

Some of this will, most likely, go back to "normal" when the crisis ends, but will it change in a longer perspective? In a conference call today with Content & PR Manager Shelagh Hammer from Highcon, she foresees at least some changes in how the demand will change in the future. She, i.e. believes that the consumers will ask for even more products produced locally in the future. Locally produced goods is a mega-trend, and you can wonder why Highcon is thinking about this?

However, it makes perfect sense since the digital transformation is changing our societies rapidly. With faster turnaround times, considerably lower volume, and even demand for mass customization, it's evident that the production lines of tomorrow need to be digital.

Most of us have for years seen how digital print is developing. Colours, speed, substrates, formats, practically everything is changing, and digital is the fastest-growing segment in print hardware - of course. Companies such as Highcon, Scodix, Duplo, Argos, MGI, and many more have for years delivered digital enhancement and finishing equipment. Though these devices have been on the market for a long time, it's evident that with the change in demand, the time is now digital throughout the entire production process. Digital print and finishing will save waste both in the production, but also since it's way more likely only to produce what is needed.

At the Highcon Open House event in Dallas last year, Mike Ferrari told the audience how a product increases its value with packaging material that supports, not only the value of the product but the value of the entire brand. With all the positive effects described above, I also believe that this is good news for the printing industry since this can support growth and higher profits.

When demand is changing the winners in the future will be the ones that invest in the technology supporting this development.

Mar 19, 2020

Author: Morten B. Reitoft