A new chapter opens in the long history of Ipack-Ima. Fiera Milano - the traditional venue of one of the world’s leading exhibitions for processing and packaging technology since its very first edition - now also acquired its ownership.
Together with the Ipack-Ima brand and organising secretariat, Fiera Milano now also owns the shows that, starting from this year’s edition, flank the historical event, turning Ipack-Ima into a supply-chain exhibition: Meat-Tech, the three-yearly show for processing and packaging for the meat industry; Dairytech, also a three-yearly show for processing and packaging technology for the dairy industry; Fruit Innovation, the exhibition of products, technology and services for the fruit and vegetable industry (already owned by 50% by Fiera Milano); Intralogistica Italia (equipment and machinery for companies' internal logistics), a three-yearly show owned by 50% by Deutsche Messe, also owner of the Hannover exhibition centre.                
No changes will be made to the organising secretariat, which will continue to support the exhibition with its well-established professionalism. The only exception is CEO Guido Corbella, who was replaced by Domenico Lunghi, who benefits from a long experience in the exhibition business, particularly in trade shows. He is also the head of Tuttofood, Fiera Milano’s B2B event for the food industry - one of the main users of processing and packaging technology.
The 2015 edition of the great supply-chain event registered a total of 131,296 visitors  (28% from 131 countries) who expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their participation (93%). The feedback and satisfaction of the 1,842 exhibitors (34% from 46 countries) were also positive in terms of business climate, quality of the product offer and new business contacts. 
“A direct control of Ipack-Ima”, says Lunghi, “puts us in the ideal place to consolidate the success of the exhibition’s new formula and support its future growth. This acquisition strengthens Fiera Milano as it gives the company direct access to packaging, a strategic sector for the industry bound to play an increasingly important role in terms of consumer safety, a responsible use of resources and environmental protection. The acquisition also ensures continuity by maintaining the same people working on the field and the strategic layout of the event. The only new element, which we believe to be an improvement, is that Ipack-Ima’s clients can now count on Fiera Milano’s even more solicitous and timely care. Italy is leader in processing and packaging technology. It boasts top-level enterprises and technologies, which enable the country to successfully compete on a global scale and find their perfect location in Ipack-Ima and Fiera Milano. We want to defend and reinforce this leadership, and we will put our best efforts into increasing the international attractiveness of Ipack-Ima and its vertical shows”.
The presence of Ipack-Ima at Pack Expo Las Vegas (September 28-30) shows the constant internationalisation efforts. The agenda includes meetings with leading trade associations, with a view to further strengthening the existing relations with the American business community.