Large Format Review - Business News

Electronics For Imaging (EFI) today announced victory in a long-running patent lawsuit in Germany brought by Durst Fototechnik Digital Technology GmbH against EFI.

On December 23, 2011, a German appeals court concluded that the Durst utility model is not valid and is not enforceable. A utility model is an intellectual property right that protects inventions, similar to a U.S. patent. Durst filed suit against EFI on the utility model in 2007. From the outset, EFI maintained that the technology had been in use well before Durst's utility model was issued. A German trial court agreed with EFI in 2009, and the appeals court did too, confirming that Durst's claimed invention is not novel.

"We are pleased with the decision by the German appeals court," said EFI's General Counsel, Bryan Ko. "Unfortunately, Durst seems intent on wasting resources bringing baseless lawsuits instead of letting customers choose between our products based on innovation and value. While we hope not to face such unfounded accusations again, EFI will continue to vigorously defend ourselves and will seek to protect our innovation and proprietary rights."

With a large portfolio of superwide format digital inkjet printers and the grand-format UV printer placements, EFI will continue to bring its innovative printers, inks, and software solutions to customers around the world.

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Office and Consumer Products business (“OCP”) to 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) for $550 million in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

“The sale of our Office and Consumer Products business to 3M presents the best opportunity to maximise OCP’s value for Avery Dennison’s shareholders, and complements 3M’s global portfolio,” said Dean A. Scarborough, Avery Dennison chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our industry-leading Pressure-sensitive Materials and Retail Branding and Information Solutions businesses, combined with our strong balance sheet, make us well positioned for profitable growth and increased return of cash to shareholders.”

Avery Dennison intends to use the proceeds from the transaction primarily to reduce debt, make additional pension contributions, and repurchase shares. This transaction will not negatively impact the Company’s common stock dividend.

Avery Dennison’s Office and Consumer Products business is one of the world’s leading suppliers of printable media and other products, with expected sales in 2011 of approximately $765 million; and expected adjusted operating income and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) in 2011 of approximately $80 million and $95 million, respectively. These adjusted operating income and EBITDA estimates exclude allocations of general corporate overhead. To reduce costs, and in anticipation of an OCP transaction, Avery Dennison began implementing cost reduction actions as described in the Company’s third quarter 2011 Form 10-Q.

Avery Dennison Corporation’s pro forma sales in 2011, excluding OCP, are expected to be approximately $6 billion. All expectations herein of the performance of OCP and Avery Dennison are as of October 26, 2011, the date that the Company announced its third quarter 2011 results.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2012.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC advised Avery Dennison on the transaction. Latham & Watkins served as Avery Dennison’s legal counsel.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Operating Income for OCP refers to segment operating income before interest, taxes, restructuring charges, general overhead allocations and transaction costs.

EBITDA for OCP refers to Adjusted Operating Income before depreciation and amortization.

Avery Dennison's pro forma sales refers to net sales excluding OCP sales, adjusted for the positive impact on net sales from the change from intercompany supply of pressure-sensitive materials to agreed-upon supply of such materials to 3M.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for, the comparable GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of certain events, activities or strategic decisions. The accounting effects of these events, activities or decisions, which are included in the GAAP financial measures, may make it difficult to assess the transaction. By excluding certain accounting effects, both positive and negative, from certain of our GAAP financial measures, we believe that we are providing meaningful supplemental information to facilitate an understanding of the transaction. These non-GAAP financial measures are used internally to evaluate trends in our underlying business, as well as to facilitate comparison to the results of competitors for a single period. While some of the items we exclude from GAAP financial measures may recur, they tend to be disparate in amount, frequency, and timing.

CWE Solutions, the biggest reseller of HP Designjet latex printers in the UK, has achieved another first with its sale of the latest HP Designjet printer in the UK.  CWE Solutions has become the first company to sell the HP Designjet L26500 large format printer in the UK, and Stocksigns the first company to receive the printer.

Already holding an impressive track record for being the first to sell HP large format printers as they are released, its sale of the new HP latex printer to Stocksigns confirms CWE Solutions’ reputation as the UK’s leading HP print reseller.

The Designjet L26500 is the successor to the L25500 model, and boasts a number of improvements including extra width, increased speed and double-sided printing abilities.  Being a latex printer, the HP device offers a cost-effective means of creating professional signage on a host of media, together with low maintenance, good green credentials and excellent reliability.

For Stocksigns, buying this latest HP latex printer has given the company more flexibility and signage options, as well as reduced printing concerns and costs.

Bruce Main, Managing Director at Stocksigns said, “Our new HP latex printer will increase our business opportunities thanks to the advantage of being able to print on an even wider media range using the more versatile HP latex ink. Our working environment will also improve due to there no longer being the solvent smell of our previous printers.

“There is also the added peace of mind, knowing CWE Solutions is only a phone call away if needed,” Mr Main added. “Their technical team is brilliant, and we know that should any issue arise with the HP printer, it will be fixed quickly and with minimum downtime.”

CWE Solutions has worked with businesses since 1999, providing the right printer solutions for each and every client. By understanding the printing industry and taking the time to discuss individual needs with companies, CWE makes sure the printer or related accessories and software matches the business requirements.

Proud to have sold the latest HP Designjet printers to various firms – and to have been the first to do so – CWE Solutions continues to be a market leader. In addition to selling the first HP L26500 printer in the UK, the company was also first to sell the HP Designjet 5000, 5500, 6100, 6200 and L65500 models in the UK.

To find out more about CWE Solutions and the latest HP large format printer, visit www.cwesolutions.co.uk

For more information on Stocksigns, please visit www.stocksigns.co.uk/custom-made-signs

Sihl Direct UK has begun trading from its sales, administration and warehousing facility in Altrincham.  The newly formed business enjoys the backing and support of the entire Diatec Group and will offer coated inkjet media for both small and wide format.

Sihl is already well-known in the inkjet printing market as a leading provider of coated media through OEM, distribution and reseller channels. The company has established a reputation for quality, consistency and reliability.  Sihl Direct UK has been established to service the UK large format printing market directly from its UK base, with Sihl manufactured and branded media, in a timely and cost effective manner, through both selected partners and directly to the end user.

Ian Turnbull is Operations Director of Sihl Direct UK and he explains, “The Diatec Group has identified the long term strategic need to strengthen the position of its product and corporate brands to a broader audience. As a group, we have a massive manufacturing operation and we are ideally suited to developing a broad range of popular, high quality coated media products and delivering cost-effectively solutions to the market. Even though we are setting up this business from scratch, we have the confidence and backing of a known and trusted name, coupled with the full support of a multi-million pound international corporation.”

Products now available from Sihl Direct include a broad range of specialist materials for most wide format inkjet printers and ink technologies, such as canvas, vinyls and films as well as a comprehensive stable of photobase papers ideal for high quality photographic and fine art reproductions.

Turnbull concludes, “We have the manufacturing capability to deliver very high quality materials and substrates with high service and support levels at cost-effective prices. We are actively encouraging both resellers and end users looking for the best quality at great value to get in touch with us to discuss their requirements and discover what we can offer."

For more information, please contact Sihl on info@sihl-direct.co.uk or call on +44 (0)161 927 9051.

Perfect Colours, a London-based value added reseller of large format digital printing solutions, has announced that its engineers are fully trained by Hewlett Packard on HP DesignJets and are able to service all HP DesignJet large format printers under the HP warranty.

As a fully-authorised service partner for HP, Perfect Colours is able to service and support all HP large format DesignJet models – regardless of where they were purchased.  HP’s DesignJet range of large format printers have been developed for professional graphics and technical drawings applications.  They are reliable and designed with ease of use at the very core.

According to Jason Burroughs, managing director of Perfect Colours, “HP’s DesignJet printers are designed to deliver uncompromising image quality, consistency, durability and value for money.  They can create stunning output across on a wide range of media for a wide range of applications.”

He continues, “Although DesignJet printers are very low maintenance, there are times when inevitably they will need servicing or support will be required.  With our approval from HP, any DesignJet owner can get in contact with us and we can help them without comprising their manufacturer’s warranty -even if the unit wasn’t purchased from us. All we need is the serial number.”

Perfect Colours has a dedicated UK phone number for service and is able to help both new and existing customers.

For more information, please contact Perfect Colours on 0845 6809835 (service number), 0845 6809000 (general enquires), or visit www.perfectcolours.com

US-based Entrepreneur Magazine has ranked FASTSIGNS as the No. 1 franchise in the sign and graphic category. This is the second year in a row that FASTSIGNS has earned the top spot in its category in the magazine’s annual Franchise 500 rankings.

FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centers, ranked 107 overall, far surpassing all other players in its category. To determine the rankings for all 500 companies, the magazine uses an exclusive formula that takes into account objective and quantifiable factors, including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system.

“The ranking is a true testament to the tremendous work and success of both our franchisees and our corporate team,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS. “Every day, our franchisees help businesses and organisations visually communicate their products, services and philosophies to their clients and employees through a countless array of graphics, visuals and messaging in multiple formats. Being ranked No. 1 in our category is a significant honour.”

As the worldwide franchisor and leader in the visual communications industry, FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centres provide marketing and visual communications solutions to any businesses, large and small, across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education and construction. The FASTSIGNS product line includes signs and graphics – including banners, flags, building signs, digital and electric signs, yard signs, vehicle graphics, labels, trade show exhibits and displays, point-of-purchase signs, and posters – as well as mobile websites, promotional products, printing and other marketing services.

With more than 530 FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centres located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia, the company opened 20 new locations in 2011 and is expected to finish the year with 27 new franchise agreements signed. Plans for 2012 include 26 new centre openings, and FASTSIGNS will finish 2011 with signed deals in untapped markets such as Eatontown and Newark, NJ, Syracuse, NY, Bradenton, FL, Lewistown, ID and Ogden, UT among others. The company will also open its first location in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in Spring 2012.

Adding to the system wide growth is a conversion strategy, in which existing independent sign shop operators partner with FASTSIGNS to reach their full potential and long-term goals through franchising with the brand. In fact, FASTSIGNS has successfully converted several independent sign shops throughout the country to the franchise, including recently signed deals in Kankakee, Ill., Salem, NH, and Springfield, OH, along with its first Caribbean conversion franchise in George Town, Grand Cayman.

For more information, please visit www.fastsigns.com.