During the General Assembly in Marseille, the association welcomed the newly elected Chairman, Jon Bultemeyer of Marabu, into the leading role. In his introduction speech, Jon provided a glance of the Vision ESMA plans to implement over the coming years. Describing these goals briefly we can say that it is ESMA’s aim to expand the role of experts in Technical Exchange dedicating ourselves in particular to industrial applications for both screen and digital printing. Furthermore ESMA is striving to enhance print standards as well as awareness for specialist printing by offering Know-How exchanges in new application areas while fine tuning this approach through a vertical reach by integrating printers into their targeted events and membership. ESMA recognizes the need for providing the industry with clearly formulated definitions and is ready to lead by creating them. Jon states himself, “Industrial Printing is a term covering a broad range of applications and interest groups. ESMA has set the goal to develop a concrete understanding of what is meant with such a broad term. We believe a unified definition will help formalize a community in which awareness of current processes can be maximized while setting the stage to develop future oriented solutions; an effective forum for communicating needs and offerings.” At the same time, Jon Bultemeyer revealed the new committee structure, refined to address and integrate the needs of both screen and digital members, to expand networking opportunities, and to create a focus on quickly addressing current hot topics. ESMA has a position of connecting in particular the industrial world with the printing process. In contrast to the graphic print world, this market continues to evolve and expand as new applications appear, and their members’ many years of experience in these areas provide us the chance to offer this community a communication center of Know-How exchange. The new committee structure was designed to more precisely achieve these goals. ESMA (European Specialist Printing Manufacturer’s Association) is a non-profit organization started in 1990 which since 2007is based in Belgium, near Leuven with a permanent staff. The association is representing manufacturers, printers and consultants from screen, digital or pad printing technology and includes machinery, software, inks, consumables, chemicals and substrates. ESMA represents currently 57 members. The objectives of ESMA are to raise value for its members through technical conferences, projects, pavilions and 3 committees with each specific workgroups.
More information: http://www.esma.com