Forum DIGGING BELOW THE SURFACE WITH INDUSTRY MOLE
Comments please to
industrymole@imagereportsmag.co.uk
Somebody offered me a lot of money for Mole Graphics a few weeks ago. I’ve had approaches before, ranging from the derisory to the speculative, and never been that interested. This time, I admit, I was tempted. What held me back was the worry that if I accepted I would, to misquote John F. Kennedy, be too young to retire and too dull to write my memoirs. And there’s Mrs Mole to consider. She might welcome the money but she’d soon tire of me cluttering up the house and urge me to take up some hideously inappropriate hobby or head to the library for the fortnightly Rotary Club coffee mornings where I could lament the decline of, well, everything and fret about the greatest threat to society as we know it - no, not a second Trump presidency, nor war in Ukraine for that matter but the remorseless expansion of the Ulez zone. Luckily, I didn’t have to consider
Mole Junior who is contemplating a Masters without, as far as I can tell, contemplating how he might pay for it. He might just be hoping that if he stays in academia long enough he will get a job by osmosis. It’s not that likely but it’s a damn sight more probable than him succeeding me at the helm of the family business. Anyway, I met the potential buyer on neutral territory. He used the word ‘synergy’ a lot but in such a way that I got the impression this was basically code for ‘asset stripping’. I was probably biased - I’ve never had much time for businessmen who enter a room tie first - and he came across as overly fond of the sound of his own voice. We parted amicably enough, although
we both knew the process would go no further. So the good/bad news for me - and the industry - is that all of us at Mole Graphics will keep burrowing away for a while longer.
WRAPFEST When?
3 - 4 October, 2024 Where?
Silverstone Race Circuit
Cost? Various- see event website
SDUK 2024
When? 23 - 25 February, 2025
Where? NEC, Birmingham
Cost? Free
FESPA GLOBAL 2025
When? 6 - 9 May, 2025
Where? Berlin, Germany
Cost? TBA
PRINT4ALL
When? 27 - 30 May, 2025
Where? Fiera Milano, Italy
Cost? TBA
Who will be there?
A wide range of suppliers of vinyls and other relevant media, print and finishing kit, software etc. will be on the show floor - and of course you can see the wrappers in action.
Who will be there?
Expect the usual cross-section of suppliers to the large-format print and general sign industry. And of course sister show Printwear and Promotion Live! is accessible too.
Who will be there?
The show continues to be the ‘must- attend’ event for those in the wide- format print space, and it will again be co-located with the European Sign Expo and Personalisation Experience.
Who will be there?
This is a trade show and conference and the 2025 iteration will feature three verticals: Corrugated Experience, in relation to packaging; PrintMat, dedicated to material innovation and their most creative uses; and Green Printing.
Should you go? Yes, if you are interested in vehicle wrapping.
Should you go? Usually worth a look-see.
Should you go? Yes.
Should you go? Perhaps, if you want to think a bit outside the box.
24 | October/November 2024
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