Business - Applications

Your Print Specialists (YPS) will have a substantial presence at Sign & Digital UK 2014, allowing it to 'roll out the red carpet' to visitors looking for some personal service from their wide format reseller.

"Our customers come back to YPS time and again because they trust us and our advice," says managing director, Garry Brown. "We have partnerships with print companies large and small that stretch back tens of years and we're proud to see how their businesses have grown through investing in technology from YPS."

A Mimaki, Epson and Canon reseller, YPS also offers a broad range of media from the likes of Metamark and Hannemuhle and software from CADlink and Colorgate. Sign making hardware such as laminators from Kala and cutters from Keencut, Mimaki and Summa add to the company's comprehensive range and a substantial selection will be on their stand for visitors to see in action.

With many years extensive experience in high-volume print production equipment, YPS is well-placed to appreciate the importance of continuity of productivity and quality in a production environment: “When a business has challenging production deadlines to meet, it’s absolutely vital that their kit is match-fit and performing at the highest possible levels of speed and quality” insists Brown. With this in mind, YPS is offering Mimaki JV33 and CJV30 owners the chance to boost their productivity by at least 10% and potentially up to 50% when they upgrade to the latest MAPS version of firmware on their printers. "The performance gains are significant," confirms Brown, "which is why we're keen to pass on these benefits to our customers by getting as many Mimaki users upgraded as possible."

Technicians from the company will visit customer sites and carry out the upgrade along with offering training and software advice. For Sign & Digital UK visitors who download a voucher from the YPS website in advance of the show and bring it to their stand, a valuable discount is on offer too. "We want to show new customers how well we look after our partners," says Brown. "Our knowledge, experience and product range is something we're keen to share, so we very much look forward to welcoming people to the YPS stand during the show."

"We'll have a strong line-up of the very latest Mimaki printers at Sign & Digital UK," confirms Brown. "There will be plenty of products for people to come and see up close and ask questions to the team. We've got some great show offers on and we're also taking the opportunity to launch our new line of Rainbow garment marking media." The new range includes digitally printable garment films as well as coloured and textured vinyl, offering garment decorators even more creative opportunities, and the potential to add additional revenue streams to their business.

Your Print Specialists can be found on stand E14. Further information on the company’s complete product offering, unique support skills and commitment to service can be found by visiting its new website: www.yourprintspecialists.co.uk where the discount voucher can also be downloaded.

The Royal Academy Schools staged its annual Premium Interim Projects exhibition recently to show the development of students work during their second year of study. The show provided a unique opportunity to view the exciting new work by the artists at the interim point of their three year postgraduate fine art studies at the UK’s most prestigious art school. Several of the works on display included those produced using Epson large format printers and projectors, accessible to the students in the on-site Epson sponsored Digital Media Suite.

Epson provides state-of-the-art large format digital printing and AV projection technologies to the Schools so students can experiment with a broad range of media and materials to produce their art works. Through this experimentation with Epson technologies students are able to develop their creativity and explore the possibilities that both old and new technologies offer to them.

All the students have worked with Epson’s large format printer and/or projectors at some time during their course. Included in the exhibition were:

• Caroline Abbotts used Epson films printed on a large format inkjet printer to produce negative images of the starry sky taken from Earth’s North Celestial Pole. The Epson films are processed manually in huge handmade developing tanks and transferred to glass sheets that are propped against the gallery walls in layered compositions.
• Rebecca Ackroyd displayed a large curved work made of two closely-positioned freestanding panels carrying a vast digitally printed image of a close-up of a luxury white bath towel.
• Matt Ager combined digitally printed photographic images with clothing, found objects and industrial materials such as plastic sheeting to create wall-based assemblages.
• Josie Cockram utilised two Epson projectors to synchronise moving images onto a floating tent-like screen that occupied a centre stage position within one of RA’s historic galleries.
• Max Prus combined large painted canvases that contained inkjet-printed collaged details with sound works, texts and digitally printed cut-out sculptural figures.

Mark Hampson, Head of Materials Processes at the RA, recognising the strengths of the collaboration that exists between the Schools and Epson and its affect upon the exhibition, says, “The creative inventiveness and breadth of approaches evident in this year’s Premiums Show demonstrated the importance of top quality workshop facilities and equipment. The RA Schools is able, through the generosity and sponsorship of Epson, to offer its students amazing access to the latest developments in digital image making, audio visual display systems and unparalleled expertise in technical advancements in printing. The influence of these opportunities is extremely apparent in the work of our students who always impress with their abilities to utilise, redefine and subvert the facilities they are exposed to. Our unique collaborative relationship with Epson is a fantastic experience where industry and art, commerce and culture merge with incredible results.”

[image shows Rebecca Ackroyd's large curved work made of two closely-positioned freestanding panels carrying a vast digitally printed image of a close-up of a luxury white bath towel.]

The Board of Directors of Eastman Kodak Company has elected Jeffrey J. Clarke as Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors.

“Jeff is the right person to lead Kodak forward. His combination of strengths and experience in technology, transformation, finance, operations, and international business is precisely what we set out to find in the next leader of Kodak. His past leadership positions have included businesses selling hardware, software and services, and printing – with B2B customers as well as consumers. The Board evaluated many highly qualified and talented people during the search, but it was clear to all of us that Jeff was the one we wanted. We feel extremely confident about Kodak’s prospects with Jeff at the helm,” said James V. Continenza, chairman of the board. “I thank Antonio Perez for his excellent leadership of Kodak through its complex and successful restructuring, and for solidifying our relationships with our valued customers since that time.”

Clarke, 52, said, “I have enormous respect for the people of Kodak, and I am excited to join them in moving the company forward to new successes. This enterprise has some extraordinary opportunities, especially those presented by the company’s proprietary technology in commercial printing, packaging and functional printing. Kodak has made excellent progress, building on one of the most successful reorganisations in recent years, and I look forward to continuing the work underway in transforming Kodak into a global B2B technology leader.

“My first priority is to spend my time listening to Kodak’s employees, customers, partners and other stakeholders as part of a detailed evaluation of our operations, market opportunities and approach for success,” continued Clarke. “Once that work is complete, I look forward to sharing our conclusions.”

Antonio M. Perez, now Special Advisor to the Board, said, “Jeff Clarke is a talented and proven executive who is well qualified to lead Kodak through our next era, which I believe will be one of innovation and growth. I am excited about the next chapter in the future of this great company.”

Prior to joining Kodak, Clarke was a Managing Partner of Augusta Columbia Capital (ACC), a private investment firm focused on middle market technology and technology-enabled businesses that he co-founded in 2012. Prior to ACC, Clarke was the Chairman of Travelport, Inc., a private travel technology firm, where he served as CEO from 2006-2011, after leading its sale from Cendant Corporation to the Blackstone Group for $4.3 billion in 2006. During his tenure, Travelport successfully launched an IPO for its Orbitz business.

Clarke was the Chief Operating Officer of CA, Inc., an enterprise software company, from 2004-2006, where he was responsible for sales, services, distribution, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, information technology, corporate strategy and planning.

Clarke was an Executive Vice President at Hewlett-Packard Company from 2002-2003. As EVP of Global Operations, he was responsible for HP's worldwide supply chain, manufacturing, procurement and internet operations (HP.com). He also co-led HP's merger integration with Compaq Computer. Prior to HP, Clarke was the Chief Financial Officer of Compaq Computer, which he joined in 1998 following the merger of Compaq with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). At DEC from 1985-1998, he served in management roles in international operations, finance and manufacturing.

Clarke will continue to serve as Chairman of Orbitz Worldwide, a global online travel agency since 2007. He will also continue to serve on the boards of directors of Red Hat, Inc., an enterprise software company, and Compuware Corporation, an enterprise software company.

Clarke earned an MBA from Northeastern University, where he serves as a Trustee. He holds a B.A. in Economics from SUNY Geneseo. He grew up in Hamilton, N.Y.

Colour change vehicle wraps carried out by Glasgow, UK-based Clyde Wraps have boosted car sales at a local Mercedes-Benz dealership, providing a perfect example of the benefits that can be gained with car wraps.

Clyde Wraps’ managing director, Gordon Clyde explains, “We were contacted by the dealership as they had a gloss black Mercedes CL in their showroom that was not attracting buyers.  We converted it to a metallic finish using 3M 1080 Series Matte Blue Metallic wrapping film. This showed off the elegant lines of the vehicle to better advantage, giving it added class, and it sold very quickly following the wrap.”

As a result, Clyde Wraps was asked by the dealership to wrap another Mercedes CL, for which 3M 1080 Series Brushed Titanium was used.

“1080 Series is easy to apply and gives a really nice finish,” says Mr. Clyde. “We find it much better to work with than other materials we have used.”

3M 1080 Series is a long term, removable dual cast film that has been designed with sufficient rigidity to allow easy handling without the need for application tape.  Featuring 3M’s Controltac Comply pressure-activated adhesive, 1080 Series is easy to reposition and ready to use straight from the box. With up to six years durability, these films offer excellent opacity and are highly weather resistant. 1080 Series is suitable for flat surfaces and simple curves.

Mr. Clyde concludes, “We have been using 3M materials for some time. The quality of the materials, together with the good back-up from William Smith gives us confidence in the products.”

3M 1080 Series is available from William Smith, ex-stock,  as full, part or custom slit rolls and same day despatch is provided on full or part roll orders received up to 6.00pm.

For more information, please visit www.vehiclewrapfilms.co.uk

Hybrid Services Ltd will bring a series of innovative new wide format sign and graphics products to Sign & Digital UK.  New machines on show include the fast-selling Mimaki SUV printer which delivers a highly durable, glossy finish that is instantly dry, allowing users to trim, finish, pack and apply graphics as soon as they exit the machine.

"Sign and Digital UK is the first domestic exhibition for us to show the new Mimaki SUV, so we're expecting huge amounts of interest," says Hybrid's national sales manager, John de la Roche. "It's a printer that really has to be seen to be fully appreciated, so we're looking forward to visitors getting up close with the extraordinary print from the Mimaki SUV at Sign & Digital UK."

Another first for the exhibition will be the UK launch of the Mimaki UJV500, a roll-to-roll UV printer capable of high production volumes that is aimed at the wallcoverings, vehicle wrap and display graphics markets. Its 1.6m width and LED curing are ideal for printing to flexible substrates and with substantial feed and take-up devices, long unattended print runs are easily achieved.

Hybrid will also show products across Mimaki’s full range, including flatbed UV printers, outdoor durable print and cut machines, latex and textile printers. "The breadth of capability Mimaki has is unparalleled.  Visitors to Hybrid's stand at Sign & Digital UK will be presented with innovation across the whole range. Our focus is on assisting print companies in adding new revenue streams and profit centres to their businesses. New technology frequently plays an important part in that process so alongside our reseller network, we’ll be offering expert advice and real-world examples throughout the show," continues de la Roche.

The Hybrid stand is situated directly inside the entrance to the exhibition, scheduled to take place between 29th April and 1st May 2014.

For more information on Hybrid Services, please visit www.hybridservices.co.uk

NXP Europe has invested in a trio of new HP wide-format printers from City and West End Solutions (CWE) in order to boost revenues and open up new markets.  NXP, based in Tunbridge Wells, UK, purchased an HP Scitex FB700, an HP Designjet Z6200 and an HP Latex 260, all of which were installed by CWE in October and November 2013.

The company is now in the process of taking on around five more team members to maximise the opportunities the printers offer. This recruitment of new sales, account management and production staff will increase the workforce to around 30.

NXP works with a broad spectrum of clients across retail, print management, design houses, and IT companies. As part of its growth strategy, the company wanted to both extend its offering for existing clients and expand into new sectors.  Sales Manager Nick Faux says that when NXP approached the market with its plans for investment, City and West End Solutions not only offered a tailored solution at a competitive price, they also worked with them, making a site visit to help plan how to fit the printers into the environment and space available.

“CWE advised us on the best suite of printers to deliver on our ambitions, and the installation went really well. They’re also supplying us with the consumables so we can be confident the substrates we use are the right ones for the machine and the job,” comments Nick.  “We’re now able to go wider and produce outdoor banners, exhibition stands, more POS material, wallpaper coverings, and work with more textiles and fabrics.  Since installation we have increased revenue from existing clients and improved productivity for them.”

The 61” HP Latex 260 is supporting NXP’s expansion into the growing soft signage market in particular, with its ability to print on a broader range of fabrics as well as paper, film, and low-cost uncoated options. It produces sharp, vivid indoor and outdoor signage with great durability.

At 98”, the Scitex FB700 is enabling NXP to print much wider, and on virtually any rigid and flexible media, with high-quality results. It’s ideal for jobs such as hoardings, POS, exhibition stands and packaging.

The Designjet Z6200 replaced an old Z6100, and has increased NXP’s productivity. This photo printer is the fastest printer in its class, is ideal for backlit signs, retail displays, posters and pop ups. It delivers print-to-print colour accuracy on different substrates, for great campaign consistency.

Nick concludes, “There’s a lot going on at NXP at the moment – our growth plan is on track, we’re taking on new staff and we’re looking to move into a new unit as we’ve outgrown the one we’re in. We’re also now running a 24-hour operation five days a week.  The current market is very buoyant, with positive vibes from colleagues and clients that give us a very optimistic view of the next few years.”

[Photo caption: From left, NXP’s Luke Garbutt (sales), Nick Faux and production manager Steve Prior.]