The The impressive list of exhibitors at TIGAX 08 gives clear signs that both new and long-established players are creating new games in the graphic arts industries.

　　Not since TIGAX 86 have we seen such a dramatic change in exhibits and product lines pointing to new directions and opportunities for astute business thinkers. For instance, traditional film producers such as Fuji, Kodak, Agfa and KonicaMinolta have over the past decade combined brilliant innovation and creativity to advance to the vanguard of the digital photography field. Today their leadership in shaping new global business trends and opportunities is reflected in their booths at TIGAX 08. We also see the largest CTP manufacturer, DS Corporation, making new waves with high-speed web digital printers, large format flat-bet inkjet printers, quality IMD printers, and even sheet-fed inkjet printers. And throughout the prepress industries we now find forward-thinking companies ready to claim a niche in plateless printing. So whichever booths you visit at TIGAX 08 be on the lookout for innovative products and new opportunities.

　　In today’s fast-changing global marketplace the old standards of simply making something good or improving one’s product for the near future will, in many cases, no longer suffice if one wants to remain competitive and profitable. Because the roles of newspapers and all sorts of printed matter are quickly shrinking in the media industries, older companies that are determined to stay in the game are adapting and finding that there are many new business paths in web-communication and POD printing (both commercial and personal), packaging printing, anti-counterfeit printing, electronic printing, and photo-electronic and IMD printing.

　　Without a doubt, opportunities in all areas of the graphic arts industries are plentiful and new ones are constantly appearing—but they are not simply there for the plucking, and past success in one arena guarantees nothing (it can even be an obstacle). However, as can be seen by the product lines of many TIGAX 08 exhibitors, abundant success awaits those who carefully study future trends, willingly face tough challenges, design quality products, take well-thought-out risks, and then forge ahead.

　　I take this opportunity to express best wishes and hopes for the happiness and achievements of all visitors and exhibitors at TIGAX 08.