Screen Americas has announced the decision of its corporate parent, Screen GA, to withdraw from participation in drupa 2021, the International Trade Fair for the printing industry.

The Screen GA website posted this statement: “Screen Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd. (Screen GA) has decided not to take part in the drupa 2021 international printing/media trade show. We have made this decision based on sensible precautions after considering the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing opportunities for virtual experiences provided by new communications technologies.

“With both market and social conditions undergoing such drastic changes, Screen GA believes it is essential to accelerate timely communication with our customers and partners. We are continuously creating both virtual and physical communication opportunities designed to ensure the best possible experience.”

Evidence of these opportunities is Screen Americas’ planned move to new headquarters, currently under construction, in nearby Elk Grove Village, Illinois, just 15 minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The new building and campus will house not only its US parts and shipping depot, warehouse, operator training and corporate offices, but also a technologically-advanced Customer Experience Center featuring the company’s leading edge digital inkjet printing technology and which will permit both live and virtual product demonstration events for expanded outreach to its growing market.

“We will miss the innovation and excitement that is typically at the forefront of drupa,” says Ken Ingram, president of Screen Americas. “Given the current state of affairs, however, this choice is certainly understandable as we fully endorse the safety of our employees and customers. This only reinforces to us that we’ve made smart decisions in the Americas to build out and improve the way we connect with customers and prospects in every way.”

The new facility, just 5 miles from its existing Rolling Meadows operations, will afford Screen Americas a comprehensive demonstration and training complex capable of handling future growth from the company’s planned launch of additional new Print on Demand (POD) technology offerings within the company’s portfolio of label and packaging solutions, as well as its high speed continuous feed solutions for the commercial print, direct mail, transactional, and publishing markets.

The 43,000 square foot facility, which is slated to be complete in early 2021, will help position the company to better service its North and South America markets, bolstered by the centerpiece 14,000 square foot Customer Experience Center. Ingram feels this expansion will allow Screen technology to stand out even further. He says, “We see our existing customers continuing to grow and we know that in many ways, physical print is more important now than ever to break through the everyday clutter we all see in email, social media, and the like.”

Mark Schlimme, Screen Americas vice president of marketing, expanded on Ingram’s thoughts. “With the virtual demo experience we’re launching and as the new Customer Experience Center takes shape, we’re more committed than ever to making it easy for our customers and prospects to get their eyes and hands on our solutions – even if that looks different going forward.”

The company’s high-speed, continuous-roll Truepress Jet L350UV series of printers for label and packaging applications, and the Truepress Jet520 series of printers for direct mail, transactional, publishing, and commercial markets “will come to life for printers looking to grow and prosper in the new economy,” he adds.