Mimaki has issued a press statement to announce that it is 'redirecting its trade show focus' to FESPA 2013 and will not participate at Ipex 2014, confirmed today by its UK and Ireland distributor Hybrid Services. However, Ipex organiser Informa Exhibitions has responded that Mimaki had not, in fact, booked space at the event.

Speaking to Output today, Mike Horsten, marketing manager of Mimaki EMEA, acknowledged the company had never signed a contract but had now 'withdrawn from negotiations' with Ipex organiser Informa. In a statement, Horsten said: "Having made such great strides in Europe [in 2012], it makes more sense that we attend FESPA, where we can strengthen our relationships with our customers, partners and prospects in this key region."

Ipex 2014 event director Trevor Crawford responds: "[Mimaki] had not confirmed their presence at Ipex, which was fairly clear many months ago, hence the reason for removing them from the floor plan as any responsible exhibition organiser would do.

"At any one particular time Ipex has in its pipeline thousands of companies that we are exploring ideas with, many of which will eventually participate when the time, circumstances are right and appropriate for them."