Graphispag 2007 opened its doors on 19 February to an anticipated audience of 52,000 trade visitors, and Mitsubishi, together with the company's press sales distributor in Spain - Henche, were on hand with two exceptional press exhibits. This seven-day quadrennial event ranks as one of the world's top five graphic arts exhibitions and serves as a major benchmark event in advancing the European graphic communication industry.

The show features representation of nearly 2,000 exhibiting companies from 35 different countries on about 470 stands and is being conducted in the recently completed Halls, 2, 3 and 4 of Barcelona's Gran Via exhibition center. This new site, designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, will provide event organizer Fira de Barcelona an additional 240,000 square meters of exhibition and convention space when remaining halls are completed in 2009.

All major press manufacturers are exhibiting equipment at the show, but none with more impressive hardware than the DIAMOND 3000TP and DIAMOND 3000LX sheet-fed presses found on the joint Mitsubishi/Henche stand. Press demonstrations on the eight-color (four-overfour) Tandem Perfector are being run throughout the day and involve stock changes from light 60gsm paper to heavy 300gsm board, highlighting the capacity to deliver equally consistent high-quality front and back printing on various substrates. On the five-color DIAMOND 3000LX, equipped with anilox coater and extended delivery, photo posters of Mitsubishi Pajeros run at the Dakar Rally are being printed on 170gsm stock. With the Mitsubishi Pajero claiming a record-breaking seventh successive victory at this year's rally, the posters are proving to be a popular souvenir highly sought after by early visitors to the show.

Opening ceremonies at Graphispag 2007 drew a number of distinguished visitors from within and outside the graphic arts community. Topping the list was Mr. Jose Montilla, current governor of Catalan and former cabinet minister within the Spanish Government. Mr. Montilla later visited the Mitsubishi/Henche booth and was given a private tour of press exhibits and display by Managing Director Jose Maria Henche Trujillo, Jr.

Graphispag 2007 will close it doors on Sunday, 25 February.

Daily TP demos have attracted impressive crowds

J.M Henche Trujillo (right) explains key points of unique Mitsubishi Tandem Perfector to Governor Montilla