More laser and inkjet printers are being shipped in Western Europe following many flat or declining quarters. This also gives the aftermarket print consumables industry an opportunity to grow. To help facilitate this trend, Recycling Times Media will launch their successful RT Imaging Summit & Expo in Barcelona, Spain in January 2015.

With hundreds attending summit events in Las Vegas, USA and Zhuhai, China, an expo will also be launched with the European event, attracting significantly more industry leaders to the International Exhibition Center of Barcelona, Spain.

RT Spain Summit & Expo Banner EN

Organisers expect more than 50 exhibitors and 2,000 professional buyers from Europe (particularly in the south) will make their first visit. Aftermarket exhibitors will display legitimate, non-infringing print consumables components and finished products during the event.

Europe is one of the largest printing markets in the world. According to IDC (Internet Data Center), the total annual printer shipments in Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, reached 22.39 million units, about the same as in 2012. However, IDC say in the first half year of 2014, total shipments were 10.39 million units—a growth of 5%.

As the world’s biggest market for aftermarket products—28% of the global market—the aftermarket industry has been slow to gain more market share in Europe in recent times. The OEMs regularly issue warning letters and lawsuits, and German Customs inspectors have publicly confiscated aftermarket products from exhibit booths at PaperWorld in Frankfurt, discouraging the aftermarket.

Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world with 500 million people using it as their first language. Barcelona is one of the most representative cities in Europe, with strong ties to Latin American markets as well.

Spain Summit & Expo Logo-ENLocated in the Southeast Spain the daily average temperature of Barcelona in January is 13℃—a better destination than the colder countries to the north.

“Many people miss the industry expos that were held in Barcelona and an event is needed, moreso now than ever, given the current intellectual property environment and great potential market opportunities,” Tony Lee, General Manager of Recycling Times Media, shared excitedly.

One exhibitor explains, “It’s very pleasing that an expo, which completely serves the print consumables industry, will come into being in Barcelona. We will invite our clients to the RT Imaging Summit & Expo instead of other events. The atmosphere in exhibition halls will be more harmonious than other European countries. We can talk business with our clients freely.”

In order to hold a successful RT Imaging Summit & Expo, Recycling Times Media has employed José Bustamante, the chief editor of Consumibles Magazine in Spain, to prepare, launch and organize the event. Bustamante has over 12 years of experience in the industry, having worked for Static Control Europe from 2002 to 2004 and The Recycler in UK from 2004 to 2007. As an expert in the Spanish and West European markets, he has witnessed the impact of the financial crisis and the intellectual property wars in these markets. Further, Ms Melanie Brouste, from France, and Ms Meabh Barron from Ireland are spearheading the European market promotion. The organizers are looking for a German speaking person to join the team.

About Southern Europe:

Southern Europe, faces and is an important transfer stop between Asia and Africa. There are 22 countries, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece. With a combined regional population in excess of 300 million, it means almost half of all Europeans live and work there. Spain is strategic as it borders France to the north and Portugal to the west, and faces Italy to the east and Africa to the south.

Countries include (alphabetically) Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece (including: Aegean Islands, Crete, and Ionian Islands), Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Northern Cyprus, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the Ukraine.

For More Information:

Kevin Zhu: +86 756 3919 265   Kevin.Zhu@iRecyclingTimes.com

Victoria Zhao: +86 756 3919 263    Victoria.Zhao@iRecyclingTimes.com

Media Contact:

Mindy Lee

Email: Mindy.Lee@iRecyclingtimes.com

Tel: +86 756 395-9203