Large Format Review - Business News

 

 

Phoenix traders – businesses that rise swiftly out of the ashes of a prior, failed venture – have become more visible during this recession.

Whilst most would agree that every well-planned and potentially profitable venture should be given a chance, how do we manage the rogue directors of repeatedly failed businesses? The directors of those organisations that cease trading one day owing thousands to numerous creditors and yet somehow manage to emerge – unscathed – a few days later with a slightly altered company name? Sometimes time and time again – owing yet more creditors, causing more heartache – but seemingly escaping any real consequences.

And why is it that those within the industry remain silent about these repeat offenders? Is it due to perceived professionalism? A false sense of loyalty? Is it a general unwillingness to rock the boat? In their collective silence, are the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers within the printing industry then complicit with the directors of the so-called phoenix operations?

The industry as a whole must be seen to be encouraging responsible trading. The DTI wants to promote responsible entrepreneurial activity to foster and support economic growth. However, the guidelines need to be tightened up now.

Simply put, the current rules don’t appear to be working. Somehow, surely, the serial offenders need to be weeded out, and fast, before they give the rest of the industry a bad name.

 

 

Got an opinion on this important topic? Add your comments on the LFR LinkedIn Group discussion

 

 

 

Exeter labels and packaging specialist James Townsend has launched its inhouse prepress department as a separate reprographics company called Think Repro as part of its expansion plans. It has also installed a Roland VersaUV LEC-330 which, linked to its GMG colour management workflow, enables it to offer colour accurate proofs on any substrate.

"We have been using several GMG products for some time, including ColorProof, InkOptimizer and PrintControl," says prepress manager Kristian Wells. "We are very happy with the performance of all the products, so when it came to looking at new proofing equipment, it was vital for us that GMG was driving the front end."

James Townsend already had a Digital Cromalin system, which is capable of producing a white ink using toner, but Wells felt that this did not give enough control and that each proof worked out to be time consuming and expensive. "We needed a cost effective solution that was simple to use, an inkjet proofer that was able to print white ink and to cope with all our material, including clear film and metallic substrates," he says.

More than two years ago the company had started looking at the Roland VersaUV LEC-300 and saw that it had great potential due to its use of white ink and its onboard cutter. However, Wells felt it lacked the level of colour management essential for the calibre of work required in the highly competitive packaging sector. "We pushed for Roland to speak to GMG and come up with a viable solution," he explains. "We were delighted when GMG announced that it was finally able to drive the LEC directly. We made the purchase soon after."

GMG ColorProof is based on Adobe PDF Print Engine technology which achieves identical colour output as if on any Adobe-based RIP. Its ProofStandard and CalibrationSet technology avoids the output of incorrect proofing jobs on printers and papers that cannot achieve the reproduction of certain printing standards. Therefore the customer can be assured that the proof will match the final printed product.

Think Repro specialises in artwork, proofing and the production of prototypes for the packaging industry. This move confirms James Townsend's commitment to developing the company into the best it can be and therefore provide its customers with the level of quality and service they have come to rely on. To meet those demands, Think Repro itself demands the best from its technology and uses the highest quality from digital artwork to plate.

 

 

 

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced its results for the third quarter of 2010. For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company reported revenues of $129.0 million, compared to third quarter 2009 revenue of $100.9 million.

GAAP net income was $13.4 million or $0.29 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2010, compared to GAAP net loss of $(12.2) million or $(0.25) per diluted share for the same period in 2009. Q3 2010 GAAP net income of $13.4 million was primarily driven by the recognition of previously unrecognised tax benefits of $8.4 million.

GAAP net loss was $(0.6) million or $(0.01) per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to GAAP net income of $1.2 million or $0.02 per diluted share for the same period in 2009

Non-GAAP net income was $10.7 million or $0.23 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2010, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $(2.6) million or $(0.05) per diluted share for the same period in 2009.

Non-GAAP net income was $14.5 million or $0.31 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $(13.1) million or $(0.26) per diluted share for the same period in 2009.

"EFI delivered a strong third quarter, with 28% year-over-year revenue growth and solid EPS, operating margins and cash flow. In addition, our 43% year-over-year volume growth in UV ink reflects the strong demand our customers are able to realize by utilising our best in class digital printers, and points toward increased print capacity requirements in the future," said Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI.  "We have transformed the company to be at the centre of the most promising growth areas of print and as such, remain optimistic about both the short and long term opportunities for EFI."

Previously reported revenue in the Fiery and APPS operating segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 has been revised to conform to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 presentation, reflecting the reclassification of Proofing software revenue from  the APPS to the Fiery operating segment.  Total revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 has not changed

 

 

Soyang Europe has acquired the order book for Digital Print Supplies to become the sole UK distributor for Endutex coated banner materials.  In addition, it has announced it is opening a new logistics centre in Rotterdam next month in partnership with OTX Logistics.

In the past 5 years, Soyang Europe has grown from strength to strength to become the UK’s leading supplier of banner media for numerous inks including solvent, eco solvent, UV, Latex and textile sublimation printing.  The acquisition of Digital Print Supplies reinforces the company’s position in the banner media market.

Soyang Technologies new logistics centre in Rotterdam will open in November 2010 to meet the growing requirements of Soyang’s rapidly expanding European customer base. This new facility will provide Soyang’s European distribution network and grand format end-user customers with quick and easy access to the stock they need.

Mark Mashiter, Managing Director, at Soyang Europe comments, “Our business has expanded rapidly in Europe and we are opening a new logistics centre to meet the increased demand for our banner media.  We see plenty of opportunity across Europe for our high quality products and to this end, we are also currently looking for dedicated sales agents throughout Europe.”

 

 

Zund UK has just announced the launch of their brand new website and consumables webshop at www.zund.co.uk.

The new website is packed full of information on the full range of Zund flatbed cutters and routers available, the latest of which are available for demonstration in their UK headquarters near St Albans in Hertfordshire.

Peter Giddings, Sales Director of Zund UK explains why they felt a need to re-design the site from scratch; “ We wanted to present our products in a new and dynamic way and build a new site from the ground up. We felt also that we wanted the focus of the site to inform and educate customers about the G3 cutters and routers and what they can do for a wide range of businesses, not just the wide format print and imaging industry. Zund cutters and routers are used in Aerospace, Automotive and Engineering companies amongst others and for existing users of Zund equipment, this information may help them reach new markets.”

Under the applications section there’s a huge list of training videos demonstrating the capabilities of the machines using different kinds of material such as textiles, acrylic and cardboard and many more.

Included in the new website is an online ordering facility for consumables such as knives and routers etc… for existing users of Zund equipment. And for those that are new to the flatbed cutting applications or are considering a purchase there are also some very insightful UK-based case studies to help and you can also book a no-hassle demonstration through the contact form on the website.

Zund will be uploading more and more case studies and useful information and you can also register for their newsletter which goes out bi-monthly which will give you this information direct to your desktop.

For more information visit www.zund.co.uk.

SGIA announced the winner of the esteemed Howard A. Parmele Award yesterday evening during the Expo's Thursday Night Dinner Party in Las Vegas. Michel Caza, owner of Michel Caza Erul in France and an industry veteran of more than 50 years, was selected for his extensive contribution to screen printing and the SGIA community.

"This year's Parmele Award honoree entered the screen printing industry in 1954 and started his first company in 1963," said Joe Shondel, SGIA's immediate past chairman, who presented the award. "He is recognised as the European pioneer of UV inks for a wide range of graphic and industrial applications."

Caza has been a member of the Association for more than 25 years, and in addition to this year's Parmele Award, he was honored with the distinguished SGIA Swormstedt Award in 1981 for best published technical article. He also was inducted into the Academy of Screen Printing Technology by his peers in 1982 and served as ASPT Chairman in 2003.

He also has held various leadership positions within SGIA, and has served with many organisations around the world.