Packaging & label industry experts focus on the future at second annual Esko forum

Packagingconverters, suppliers and technology developers converged on the UK last weekto hear from leading sector experts and discuss the future success of theglobal packaging industry at the second Esko Packaging & Label Forum.

Heldat Loughborough University’s prestigious Science and Enterprise Park, thetwo-day event saw nearly 100 packaging professionals from across the industryengage in detailed analysis, discussion sessions and training while hearingfrom a broad range of industry leaders and speakers.

“Theworld around us is continually changing,” said Jan De Roeck, Esko Director ofMarketing, Industry Relations & Strategy. “In order to make our businessesthrive we need to continually adapt – and that means looking to the future.”

Acrosstwo days, more than 25 different sessions addressed everything from currentmarket dynamics, new technological innovations and key takeaways from drupa2024, through to hugely detailed examinations of color management in thecontext of sustainability and how new job onboarding is streamlining upstreamprocesses. Sessions also included speakers from education institutionsdiscussing the importance of attracting and training future generations ofworkers in the sector, as well as industry experts discussing the very latestdevelopments in Artificial Intelligence in the context of packaging production.

“Weexpanded the content program for this Packaging & Label Forum, the secondto be held in the UK, and it was heartening to have provided this platform forso many customers, partners and suppliers to congregate and share theirexperience, concerns and opinions on the issues that are driving our industry,”said Jan. “With more breakout sessions, presentations and detailed discussiongroups than before, we ensured the event gave attendees the opportunity toclosely examine and identify the specific areas that are vital to their ownbusiness success.”

Theevent also gave attendees a chance to experience Esko’s Innovation Lab,which was unveiled at the drupa global expo in Dusseldorf earlier this year.The Innovation Lab experts previewed prototype solutions that are at advancedstages of development, including a new AI-assisted decision-making tool forupstream packaging project specifications.

“Theevent was a huge success in terms of spotlighting some of the amazinginnovations that are already helping accelerate go-to-market for packagedgoods, and how converter businesses are continuing their digital transformationjourney in order to meet the ever-changing demands of today,” said Jan. “What’smore, the forum gave attendees a platform where they could discuss newstrategies for growth, to discover tools to drive productivity and even meetpotential new partners for exciting collaborations.

“Asthe global packaging supply chain continues to face challenges, it is crucialthat experts and professionals from across the industry come together at eventslike this to help shape the future of label and packaging production,” he said.

The 2024 Packaging and Label Forumwas organized by Esko in association with partners including Asahi Kasei,Bobst, CERM, Flint Group, HP, Maxcess, Tharstern and The Grey Elephant.