Annual conference in Rome: FEPE members expect impetus from print mailings and e-commerce
25 September 2023
After a two-year interruption due to the pandemic, the traditional FEPE Annual Conference was able to take place again for the second time in a row. More than 100 participants from all over Europe and overseas met in Rome from 14 to 17 September to discuss market trends as well as global technological and economic developments.
In addition to the main topics of "sustainability" and "e-commerce", the increasing importance of print mailings as part of cross-channel marketing was also the focus of the discussions. While the envelope volume for classic document and invoice mailing has been steadily decreasing for several years, FEPE members are at the same time developing and selling more and more e-commerce packaging and related products. The "mailing envelopes" segment is also becoming increasingly important for the industry, especially since the added value of these products is significantly higher than that of classic envelopes.
The conference, organised by the new Association Managing Director Viktor Kovacic, offered participants not only numerous lectures and technical discussions but also an interesting supporting programme in the "eternal city" and its surroundings. In addition, the former managing director of the Global Envelope Alliance (GEA) Maynard Benjamin and the former board member Bernard Kuhnast were honoured for their services to the industry in a festive ceremony.
The industry is concerned about the unchanged high raw material and energy prices as well as the weak demand due to the economic situation. Despite the high raw material and energy costs, the envelope industry expects a largely stable price level in the coming months.
The next FEPE Annual Conference is scheduled to take place in Hamburg in September 2024.
Source: PBS-Business