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Hunkeler Innovationdays wrapped up another successful event in Lucerne, Switzerland—reinforcing its transformation from a customer-focused demonstration event to a full-fledged tradeshow. While it has grown significantly in size and participation, the event remains true to its DNA by offering a uniquely streamlined and guest-centric experience. With “Connect” as its theme, the event demonstrated how people, solutions, and processes come together to create seamless, end-to-end production ecosystems.
About 13 major digital printing manufacturers occupied much of the show floor, joined by a strong presence from finishing, software, and paper vendors. What stood out this year was the growing role of software. The number of workflow automation vendors nearly doubled, increasing from 15 to 27—proving that connectivity, automation, and data-driven efficiency are no longer optional—they’re essential for modern print service providers (PSPs).
As expected in a post-drupa year, major press announcements were limited, but technology developments in roll-fed inkjet were a clear focus. HP, Canon, Fujifilm, Ricoh, Kodak, and Screen all showcased innovations in quality that included substrate versatility, productivity, and automation with an increasing emphasis on sustainability (an area becoming a critical factor in print buyers’ purchasing decisions).
Some of the key press vendor takeaways include:
| Kodak introduced the Turbo 7000, the “world’s fastest inkjet press” |
While the event is a springboard for showcasing presses integrated with unwinders and finishers, software also took center stage. Workflow automation software played a leading role across vendor booths, reinforcing the industry's shift toward fully integrated, data-driven production with vendors eager to demonstrate how their solutions seamlessly connect with print and finishing hardware.
Among the standout software innovations:
| Dataline’s 80+ integrations simplify workflow automation— like navigating the London Underground with a perfect map |
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
Hunkeler Innovationdays has always been about practical, real-world solutions, and the 2025 event was no exception. The show demonstrated how hardware, software, and automation are converging to help PSPs navigate today’s industry challenges of balancing speed, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
As AI continues to refine automation, cloud adoption accelerates, and workflow solutions become more interconnected, the focus for PSPs will shift toward maximizing efficiency while driving down costs. For those looking to stay ahead of the curve, this was the place to be. The conversations, collaborations, and innovations on display set the tone for the next phase of print production—one where hardware and software are no longer separate, but fully unified for end-to-end efficiency.
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