From Traditional Printing Center to Communications Leader

For centuries the city of Turnhout in Flanders has been a center for the printing industry. Today that tradition is continuing through the presence of well-known companies such as Proost, Group Joos, Van Genechten-Biermans and Carta Mundi. Now, with the old hot metal long gone and digital processes taking over virtually all aspects of life, Turnhout is developing as a center for graphic communications.

The focus is on the Blairon Campus, which is being converted to house both start-ups and established graphic communications businesses in a cluster that enables companies to benefit from synergies, cross-fertilization, interaction and localized know-how. This will be based on drawing together small and large businesses, technology users and providers, and niche players and integrators.

The Flemish Innovation Center for Graphic Communication (VIGC) has been established on the campus to provide the right kind of support for an innovative environment as well as to offer a continuous stream of dedicated information and to organize training and education. The ultimate aim is to offer backing that will not only lead to competitive advantages for companies based on or near the campus, but will also benefit of all companies in Flanders and abroad.

The center has established five strategic units: "Trendwatch & Information", "Training & Seminars", "Consulting", a "Measurement & Testing" laboratory, and an “Incubation Center” for start-ups. Training will be offered through in-house courses, multi-client seminars, and after-parties.

The focus of VIGC is to provide all businesses with information to enhance their product and process innovation, not only for the printing industry but in a broader perspective to all businesses with a need for graphic communications through electronic and hard-copy publishing. In order to organize the search for dedicated information in an efficient way, VIGC has developed a dedicated Internet search engine named www.GraphicBrain.com which is available to all members and others.

Strategic partners in the center already include Agfa, ADAM, Artwork Systems, Creo, Esko-Graphics, Plantin-Heidelberg, Kodak Polychrome Graphics, MAN Roland Belgium and Océ.

To strengthen the quality of its services, VIGC is working with leading research groups in both Flanders and abroad. The latter groups include the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and similar organizations in Holland (IDP) and Germany (Fachverband Medien Produktioner).

The Blairon Campus will provide affordable, high-quality premises with a full communications infrastructure as well as support services and facilities... and all the advantages that high-tech clustering provides.