The auction will occur on 23 May, halfway through the trade exhibition, and is expected to be one of the world's largest auctions in recent memory.

The timing and scale of the auction could prove very disruptive, suppliers told ProPrint.

PacPrint chairman and Ferag trade general manager Ian Martin said he was upset by the timing.

"It's disappointing that there's a lot of second-hand equipment on the market when there are going to be a number of exhibitors demonstrating new equipment," he said.

"It doesn't impact on [Ferag], but it's just another distraction for people. If the industry wants to support the suppliers, which is really critical to the future success and strength of the industry, this is working against it."

The auction is being run by Geon's receivers, McGrath Nicol, who declined to comment.

[Exclusive: A Geon insider speaks]

Graph-Pak managing director Tom Ralph said it was "disgusting" that the Melbourne auction would occur during PacPrint.

"I think it's a slap in the face to the industry and the suppliers who have been hurt. They're tormenting us. There are plenty of other days that could've been picked, but they choose one in the middle of the trade show. I'm very disappointed with anyone who's been involved with the auction," he told ProPrint.

"I think it will dramatically impact sales. I don't think it will hurt us that much, but I feel sorry for the other suppliers who are working hard to get over a slow past couple of years. I feel sorry for press manufacturers and all the finishing guys."

FAB Equipment managing director Matthew Benn also criticised the timing of the auction.

"I can't believe they would do it. It's the most ridiculous thing. It's like they're trying to compete with PacPrint. It's so stupid. They must be totally unaware of the printing industry."

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Currie Group managing director Bernie Robinson said printers should skip the auction to support those suppliers who have "invested a lot of money in PacPrint".

"I think from a finishing side, it probably will [impact sales], because they've got a lot of finishing equipment they're going to auction," he told ProPrint.

"Having said that, there's only so much equipment they're going to have there and the cost to uplift and relocate and install will be quite a sizeable amount.

"From a Curries perspective, they're not going to see a HP Indigo 10000 anywhere else. There's going to be the Horizon SmartStacker [at PacPrint], which has been flown out from the US. Horizon also has some other equipment which will be shown for the first time in Australia."

Paper Handling Equipment general manager Garry Hengst said PacPrint kit would make a better long-term investment than anything bought at the auction.

"People should go to PacPrint because they know they're going to get quality service, the back-up with the warranty and the long-term relationships. At the auction, you don't get that follow-up support," he told ProPrint.

"With regard to our range, it doesn't affect what we sell, but I can understand people's disappointment. It's a premium show we have once every four years, and the auction is going to detract from the show."

[Related: Ups and downs of Geon]

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