Large Format Review - Business News

Michel Caza and Ricardo Rodríguez Delgado, members of the FESPA board of directors, have each been honoured with independent industry awards acknowledging the strong and continuing commitment they have demonstrated to the screen and digital printing technologies over a combined 82 years.

Michel Caza was presented with the prestigious Howard A. Parmele Award during the SGIA Expo in Las Vegas. Michel has been involved in the screen printing community since 1954; a pioneer in fine arts and graphic screen printing, he has worked with artists such as Dali, Matisse and Warhol. He became a founding member of FESPA in 1962, and has also played an active role in the SGIA. His unswerving commitment to the industry has seen him collect a host of awards since that time and led him to be inducted into the Academy of Screen Printing Technology, where he served as chairman in 2003.

The Howard A. Parmele Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the graphic arts industry, is presented to individuals who have had exceptional involvement in the speciality imaging industry over an extensive time period. Michel received the award for his vast contribution to screen printing and the SGIA community, of which he has been a member for 30 years. The honour also recognises his role as an industry pioneer in the field of UV inks for a wide range of graphic and industrial applications.

“I was very surprised to win this esteemed award and I am extremely appreciative of the honour connected with receiving it,” says Michel Caza. “This printing technology has been my life’s work and I am grateful that SGIA has recognised the passion I have for it, and the devotion I have given to it.”

Michel will participate in the Screen Masters Workshops at FESPA Americas, alongside fellow winner of the Parmele Award, Scott Fresener.

Michel’s colleague on the FESPA Board, Ricardo Rodríguez Delgado has also accepted an award in acknowledgment of his dedication to the print industry. The “Tribute of the Year 2010” PIXEL Award was presented during a special ceremony at the Viscom Sign Exhibition in Madrid, in recognition of his career in the national and international graphic arts markets.

Ricardo began his career in print in 1982 in the outdoor advertising sector until 1984 when he became president of Panorama a leading screen printing company in Spain. Under his leadership, Panorama was renowned in Europe for its continuous technological innovation which led to its extension into other countries including Portugal and France. Having founded AEDES, the Spanish Association of Screen Printers in 1990, he joined the FESPA Board in 1995. Following this he served as FESPA’s President from 2002 to 2005, concluding his period in office with the phenomenally successful FESPA 2005 exhibition in Munich.

The PIXEL Awards were established by Pro-Digit@l magazine to celebrate the hard work of individuals and the contribution they have made towards the growth and development of the printing and graphic arts industry in Spain.

Ricardo comments, “I am so happy about winning this award. For me it represents the kindness and respect of my Spanish colleagues with whom I have worked for many years, firstly through AEDES and then with FESPA. To have my love and commitment for the graphic arts industry officially acknowledged is incredibly flattering and I am grateful.”

 

Mimaki, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers, with the help of colour management solutions from GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end colour management software solutions, announces that it won a number of 2010 SGIA Product of the Year awards.

Companies from around the world entered the competition, submitting more than 100 entries in 21 categories. This year's entries, which were evaluated during the 2010 SGIA Expo (Las Vegas, October 13-15), represented some of the industry's most innovative digital products.

"The Product of the Year award winners highlight the best technologies and consumables from the specialty imaging community," says Jeff Burton, SGIA's Digital Printing Analyst. "Entries were so good that judging category winners was a real challenge."

Winners of the Product of the Year competition have benefited from worldwide recognition and the ability to market their product as a winner of this prestigious competition.

Manufacturers submit entries to gain exclusive industry recognition. Output Device Competition entries submitted prints generated from an Association test file that offered various challenges. Non-output competition entries were judged based on their perceived value to the digital imaging community by industry leaders and showcased in the Golden Image Gallery during the 2010 SGIA Expo. Awards were honoured within five major categories: Media for digital inkjet (six sub-categories); Inks; Business or other workflow software; Finishing; and Output Devices.

Mimaki received awards for its digital printers in four categories:

 

• Poster Size-Solvent/Latex printers < 96: Mimaki USA Inc, JV33-160
• Rigid White Ink UV <$200K MSRP: Mimaki USA Inc, JFX-1615
• Grand Format Roll-to-Roll-Solvent & Latex inks: Mimaki USA Inc, JV33-260
• Grand Format Roll-to-Roll-UV cure ink: Mimaki USA Inc, JFX-1631R

 

Mimaki USA received a fifth Product of the Year award for its LF200 UV Flexible Inks for Backlit/Display.

"SGIA provides a PDF image with a number of printing challenges, such as flesh tones, gray scales, and very specific spot colours - all of which must be reproduced as accurately as possible. That is where GMG SmartProfiler and GMG ColorServer helped out," explains Francisco DeBrito, Applications Supervisor, Mimaki USA Inc and the person responsible for delivering the Mimaki entries to the SGIA. "Because it is fully wizard-driven, GMG SmartProfiler is very easy to use. We profiled our printers with GMG SmartProfiler, while GMG ColorServer created files that, in particular, helped us to create very accurate spot colours as CMYK builds."

"While our partnership with GMG helped us win the printer Product of the Year awards, we are just as pleased with other collaborative efforts," comments Steve Urmano, Markerting Director, Mimaki USA, Inc. "The technological collaboration utilising both our companies' highly innovative solutions helps us meet the challenges specialty print providers are experiencing. The success at SGIA corroborates the colour accuracy of our print engines along with the assistance of GMG colour management tools."

 

Drytac, one of Europe’s leading adhesive coating and laminating film manufacturers specialising in products for the graphics finishing and display industry, has recently acquired the assets of TENEKA-Folien.

TENEKA, established in Germany in 1931, is a world renowned brand of book covering films and other specialty self adhesive products.

“For Drytac, the acquisition of TENEKA was a sensible purchase”, said Drytac President Marc Oosterhuis. “Drytac is always exploring new markets for its range of pressure sensitive and heat activated adhesives and over laminates, and the strong TENEKA brand name, proprietary and proven adhesive formulations, coupled with Drytac’s well established manufacturing facility in Bristol, will allow TENEKA to significantly expand their product range”.

Arne Petersen, former Managing Director of TENEKA-Folien, has joined Drytac Europe as the Sales Manager for the TENEKA brand. Enthusiastic about his association with Drytac, Arne said “TENEKA will continue to offer the same high quality and excellent service that our customers are familiar with. We are already receiving orders from both new and existing customers and with the development of new products, I am very excited about the opportunities ahead”.

 

Because of the increasing levels of interest from the commercial print sector wanting to move into wide-format ink-jet production, Roland DG is now offering succinct and practical information on a dedicated microsite located at www.rolanddg.co.uk/RCM9. This forward-thinking manufacturer of versatile ink-jet systems has also produced a special printed guide explaining the benefits of wide-format production, and this is available free of charge via the same web page.

As a long established manufacturer of reliable, high quality production systems for the digital arena, Roland DG has always reacted positively with emerging markets for its technology. The company’s latest print-and-cut solutions echo the burgeoning requirements of the commercial print sector and, consequently, offset litho businesses, packaging specialists and proofing houses are amongst those increasingly turning to Roland’s wide-format ink-jet solutions. The potential for new avenues of creativity has now moved far beyond simple poster production into increasingly versatile applications which fit the remit of each commercial segment, with new opportunities made possible with the flexibility of durable inks and special finishes.

“Although familiar with display production, the general print sector falls outside the categories usually associated with wide-format digital print, such as sign-makers, photolabs and digital bureaux,” explains Brett Newman, Roland DG (UK)’s Technical Director. “This is the reason why we have developed a new area on our web site for the commercial side of the industry which, currently, is looking to invest in ink-jet technology.

“In addition to outlining our product portfolio, we’re also offering our valuable free guide which includes all the information needed when considering the purchase of a wide-format machine,” continues Newman. “Print companies already have the production skills; now we can help them make the transition into all areas of short-run digital output, including colour matched proofing, labels and packaging prototyping, as well as signs, displays, point-of-sale and a wealth of additional innovative applications.”

Roland DG believes that, as well as offering the print-and-cut technology needed for the production of wide-format output, companies established in other sectors of the printing industry also want to know how to maximise their investments into ink-jet. Today’s end customers increasingly want to use a single supplier for all print requirements, and Roland’s “Ten reasons to get into wide format digital print” endorses the benefits and opportunities available to the commercial sector and its existing client base.

The choice of eco-solvent-based and UV-curable ink formulations also brings with it the ability to print specialist applications which feature unusual textures and finishes. Roland’s VersaCAMM VS quartet of solutions is available in a range of sizes and offers metallic and white ink options, whilst the VersaUV LEC-330 and LEC-540 both use flexible UV-curable chemistry, a highly opaque white and a versatile clear varnish, along with LED curing. Both product families include precision contour cutting to exacting tolerances, and all Roland printers are supplied with the versatile VersaWorks RIP.

“The commercial print sector is an important growth area for Roland DG and, as such, it deserves a properly structured approach when wide-format digital print is being considered,” Newman concludes. “For a comparatively small investment, businesses can now extend their service offerings into new lucrative areas and, for users who want specific help, the Roland Academy offers specialist courses covering all aspects of software, applications, production and finishing.”

www.rolanddg.co.uk/RCM9

Tel: 0845 230 90 60

 

Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT) has made the move. As of November 1st, the company will be relocated in its own building, with 4,500sqft of offices, warehousing and impressive demo room. After nearly three years operating within a serviced office environment in Slough, the company has the opportunity to properly spread its wings in its own home.

The new building on the Sutton Business Park in Earley, near Reading, gives GPT much more flexibility and room, which the company has adapted to ideally suit the business. As well as plenty of office space for the growing sales team, marketing and administrative teams, there is a proper warehouse and a demonstration facility housing a comprehensive range of printing equipment from GPT¹s market leading suppliers.

Stuart Cole, General Manager of GPT, comments, ³We were constrained by what we could do in the serviced office. We had a good demo room, but the new building gives us a whole new dimension. We will be able to show existing, and potential, customers an unrivalled range of printing, cutting and finishing solutions, including the new AGFA Anapurna, which was just too big for our previous demo room.² Open days and other events are being planned, and Cole is very positive about the future, ³Our acquisition by Amari Plastics plc has given our business a new dimension, including the scope and support to expand our operations to these highly impressive new premises. We invite every one to come and see us and to put any of our printing, cutting and finishing systems through their paces. In the current market, customers want to see a bit of substance from their suppliers and this is clearly visible in our new business surroundings.²

 

Avery Dennison Corporation today announced preliminary, unaudited third quarter 2010 results. All non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled to GAAP in the attached tables.

Free Cash Flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) as used herein is defined as net cash from operating activities (as reported), less net purchases of property, plant, equipment, software, and other deferred charges, plus proceeds from sale of investments, net (see accompanying schedule A-3 for reconciliation to GAAP financial measures).

"Avery Dennison delivered another quarter of strong top-line growth, driven by Pressure-sensitive Materials and Retail Information Services," said Dean A. Scarborough, Avery Dennison chairman, president and CEO. "As expected, margins came under pressure as rising raw material costs outpaced price increases."

"Despite the increased inflation, we remain on track to meet our full-year targets for earnings and free cash flow, and we are well positioned for long-term profitable growth and increased returns," Scarborough said.

For more details on the Company's results, see the Company's supplemental presentation materials, "Third Quarter 2010 Financial Review and Analysis," posted at the Company's Web site at www.investors.averydennison.com, and furnished under Form 8-K with the SEC.

Third Quarter 2010 Results by Segment:

All references to sales reflect comparisons on an organic basis, which excludes the impact of foreign currency translation. All references to operating margin exclude the impact of restructuring, asset impairment charges, and other items.

Pressure-sensitive Materials (PSM)

• Roll Materials sales grew at a high-single digit rate, reflecting strength in all regions. Sales grew at a mid-single digit rate in the Graphics and Reflective Products division.
• Operating margin declined as continued raw material inflation, which outpaced pricing actions, and investments in growth more than offset the benefits from higher volume and productivity and restructuring initiatives.

Retail Information Services (RIS)

• Sales growth reflected increased demand, due in part to significant inventory destocking that occurred among apparel retailers in the prior year.
• Operating margin increased due to increased volume and restructuring and productivity initiatives, partially offset by higher employee costs.
• Operating margin declined sequentially due to lower volume, reflecting the normal seasonal trend.

Office and Consumer Products (OCP)

• The decline in sales reflected weak end-market demand and increased competition in the label category.
• Operating margin declined due to increased investment in demand creation, consumer promotions, and innovation, as well as lower volume.

Other specialty converting businesses

• Sales growth primarily reflected increased demand for products for automotive applications, which was down sharply in the third quarter of 2009.
• Operating margin declined due to raw material inflation, partially offset by the benefits of increased volume and restructuring and productivity actions.

2010 Outlook

The Company has adjusted its previous guidance. In the Company's supplemental presentation materials, "Third Quarter 2010 Financial Review and Analysis," the Company provides a list of factors that it believes will contribute to its 2010 financial results. Based on the factors listed and other assumptions, the Company now expects reported revenue growth of approximately 9 percent, and adjusted (non-GAAP) Earnings Per Share of $3.10 to $3.20. The increase in guidance for Earnings Per Share is primarily due to the inclusion of approximately $0.40 per share from a discrete tax planning event expected in the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company now expects Free Cash Flow in 2010 of approximately $350 to $375 million.