The announcement caps a miserable year for organisers, Informa Print Group, as the firm follows Heidelberg, HP and AGFA out of the event.

Jeff Jacobson, president, global graphic communications at Xerox, says the decision was 'not an easy one' but it had a 'unique opportunity to look at things differently.'

Xerox says it plans to use its customer group - the Premier Partners Global Network, localised one-day events, webinars and social media to connect with its customers.

It marks a major change in marketing policy at the group, but Jeff Jacobson also confirmed it still planned to exhibit at the next Drupa 2016.

Following the announcements of recent months the move is no surprise and while a disappointment, is unlikely to have a major effect on the visitor experience, should one decide to attend.

The decisions to pull out are borne out of the fact that buyers are well aware of what they will see from HP, Heidelberg and others at trade shows.

The technological advancements between Drupa and IPEX, are perhaps no longer there to justify the cost of exhibiting.

Despite this, the real value in the event will be from the smaller exhibitors and the pieces of technology, which don't receive the backing of a slick corporate marketing machine. This is where the real discoveries will lie.

IPEX is still an event the industry should support and attend.