ESMA, the European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association, celebrated its 25th anniversary during this years General Assembly held in Mallorca on March 20th with the highest member attendance on record. In 1990, ESMA was founded in the UK as an initiative of several European screen printing suppliers who recognised the need for an organisation to represent the interests and needs of all manufacturers of screen printing machines, supplies and equipment. The initial goal of ESMA was to maintain the growth and potential of screen printing.
Today 25 years later, the association is not only pushing the boundaries for screen printing in new applications and industries but the same philosophy is now also applied to digital printing to open up new possibilities. The graphics printing landscape is changing rapidly and Industrial Printing seems to be the hottest topic ever. ESMA has been the home for Industrial Printing for the last two decades with well-known conferences such as "GlassPrint", "Membrane Switch", "Advanced Functional and Industrial Printing" and in recent times also with new formats such as "Printed Interior Decoration", "The Inkjet Conference" and "Direct Container Print", all aimed at showcasing and promoting knowledge and possibilities for industrial print applications for screen, pad and digital technologies.
Peter Buttiens, CEO of ESMA, says "The association has established its own identity in the broader printing industry. With its challenging goals of building conferences in specialised areas and promoting its innovative 'Knowledge-Hub' concept, ESMA has evolved into a unique player in the market."
From April onwards, the ESMA team has been expanded with Maciej Bochajczuk as the new Marketing and Communication Coordinator. As a full time employee, he will help to further develop ESMA's online and offline marketing activities. With his addition, the ESMA team has grown in the last eight years to four permanent staff members!
The General Assembly recognised the achievements over the last 25 years and also looked forward to the challenges and opportunities that the very dynamic industrial printing market will offer.
oliver kammann2During the General Assembly ESMA presented its new Chairman of the Board, Oliver Kammann of the German software and consulting company K-Flow. At the same time the Board and Steering Committee announced two new members, Samuel Wagner of Sefar and Frederic Blancher of Encres Dubuit. The new Chairman of the Marketing and Communication Committee, Jeremy Spencer of Caldera, was also introduced into office. The Members of the Board of ESMA are aiming their expertise and efforts at delivering real benefit for all current and future ESMA members.
Oliver Kammann, Chairman of ESMA, is excited that "ESMA's membership, served through its Board and Committee structure, represents an excellent cross-section of leading European companies from the screen, pad, digital and substrates industry. I am looking forward to doing my best to advance the cause of ESMA and to generate real benefits through our conferences and education programs for our members, their customers and the industry as a whole."
At the time of the General Assembly, ESMA represents the interest of 65 member companies, a record high for the association. This year will see the return of two highly successful events with "The Inkjet Conference (TheIJC.com)" and "GlassPrint", but also the introduction of a new event, "Direct Container Print (DCP)" aimed at introducing packaging manufacturers and brand owners to the possibilities and benefits of direct to shape decoration of plastic and glass containers
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