Christophe Aussenac is, since October 24, the first Frenchman at the head of the Fespa Global of these 20 years. The man, who has also been president of Fespa France since 2013 and co-director of the Rhône-based printing company ATC, tells us about the role and projects of the international association for screen printing','www.printindustry.news/search/serigraphy');" class="lien-auto-article" href="https://www.printindustry.news/search/serigraphy">screen printing and large format printing.
GraphiLine: What exactly is Fespa Global (or Fespa International) founded in 1962?
Christophe Aussenac: It is a worldwide association based in Surrey, UK, dedicated to screen and large format digital printing, with 37 national associations representing 15,000 companies.
It is a bit special because it has two activities.
Fespa is an event organizer, but this is not its primary vocation.
Each year, it organizes the world's most important trade show for screen printing','www.printindustry.news/search/serigraphy');" class="lien-auto-article" href="https://www.printindustry.news/search/serigraphy">screen printing and large format digital printing in Europe, as well as shows in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and Thailand.
These exhibitions allow us to finance our second activity: national associative projects. For example, last year, Fespa France created two new professional qualification contracts (CQP), that of large-format digital printer and that of mediaplicator (the official name for installers of printed communication). Fespa has also, for example, helped to set up a screen printing','www.printindustry.news/search/serigraphy');" class="lien-auto-article" href="https://www.printindustry.news/search/serigraphy">screen printing school in Sri Lanka.
In fact, an exhibitor who chooses to participate in a Fespa show is reinvesting in the industry.
What is your assessment of the Fespa Global Print Expo 2021, which has just ended in Amsterdam, after two cancelled editions?
A very positive outcome. Already it took placeâeuros! Our exhibitors trusted us, even if it was smaller than a usual fair, because some groups forbid events. But more than 200 exhibitors and very qualified visitors came.
We have also had very good feedback.
What are your plans as President of Fespa for the next three years?
I have two main projects, a CSR project and an education project.
Let's talk about the CSR project first. What are you going to do?
Our project is to give manufacturers the means to be part of a CSR logic, i.e. ecological, social and societal.
Although this may seem obvious, we must integrate it into our processes and provide information at the global level: some countries and some manufacturers are less interested in this aspect. This requires information, but if it is important, it is the will that is essential. We need to convince people: that the principals speak up and explain why CSR is important to them.
We are very well positioned for this at the global level thanks to our different partners on this subject. Fespa has already created videos, guides and others on this subject (called Planet Friendly) more than 10 years ago, but more than ever we need to accelerate this movement.
What is the most important environmental issue to work on in your opinion?
For production techniques and technologies, we have solutions, because a major effort has been made for several years, particularly with regard to raw materials. Now, it is really the awareness, the will that is essential.
There is also another point to work on: the recovery of products after use, once delivered and used.
Your second project concerns education. What does it consist of?
Today, our professions have an aging image that no longer attracts enough people. However, it is a sector where there is a lot of creativity, know-how, technology, technique, it is an exciting job! We must put this forward.
We also want to be able to offer an international employment and training solution, to bring all projects under one banner. If a young trainee is looking for a company to do an internship with, we would like to be able to offer them a solution in our international companies.
We are still at the beginning of the project, but we would like to create an Erasmus of the Fespaâeuros!
What would you have to say to printers who are hesitant to join the association in order to convince them to join you?
This is simply an extraordinary opportunity!
First of all, being part of an association gives value to its commitment.
Then, at Fespa, the relationship is extremely important in my opinion. So yes, you have to accept to be a bit transparent, to talk with your competitor, but in the end, you realize that he is above all a colleague.
Then, we have the chance to be an international grouping, the Fespa counts 37 countries. Tomorrow we can meet business leaders from all over the world. It is very enriching.
Moreover, we work together on projects with common values.
This allows us to have more weight in our relations with suppliers, for example to ask for more ecological inks, more fluid, etc.
What is the next event of Fespa Franceâeuros?
The next Fespa France event, Les Rencontres Fespa France, takes place at one of our historical partners, Hexis, in Frontignan near Sète in the Hérault region, on December 15th.
In the early afternoon, we start with a visit of the adhesive manufacturing plant. We are lucky to have this innovative and dynamic company in France. The Fespa France meetings end with a convivial evening.
And the next event of the Fespa Globalâeuros?
The next international trade show will take place in Germany, in Berlin, from May 31 to June 3, 2022. It should be a big show.
