The EFI VUTEk 5r Inkjet Press
Electronics for Imaging (EFI) used its annual EFI Connect customer event in Las Vegas last week to express its optimism for growth in the digital print market. Digital holds just a small portion of the total commercial and industrial print markets. Trends toward smaller, more targeted runs on everything from direct mail campaigns to consumer packaging will only increase the appeal of digital print.
Digital print also enables more automation, in turn reducing labor costs. In his opening keynote address, EFI CEO Guy Gecht talked about how artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics were driving forces behind automation. By analyzing patterns, AI software can “learn” what actions to take when an event or series of events occur, eliminating the need for manual intervention. “In print, it can drive preventive diagnostics and predictive maintenance, which helps our customers improve their top and bottom lines,” said Gecht.
Guy Gecht
Gecht cited a few examples of EFI customers that have improved efficiency through automation. One customer’s printing facility is staffed by 300 people where 10 years ago the number was 900. That plant is producing more volume and more types of output with a high degree customization through variable data. Another customer in Malta reduced administrative labor by 50 percent using EFI’s packaging suite.
New Rollouts
EFI has become a leading provider of high-volume inkjet printing systems, and new rollouts at EFI Connect appear to reinforce its position. The company demonstrated its 5-meter VUTEk 5r and 3-meter 3r LED roll-to-roll production printers. Both are capable of printing up to 4,896 square feet per hour in resolutions up to 1,200 dpi.
The company also introduced its largest soft signage printer, the 5.2-meter EFI VUTEk FabriVU 520. This device is aimed at the growing market for soft signage products such as wall murals, banners, and theater drapes.
Packaging is one area where digital is just starting to get a foothold with as little as 3 percent of the total market. EFI announced the first installation of its new Nozomi C18000 single-pass LED inkjet corrugated board press, which was introduced at the drupa event last year. The customer is Spain-based Rafael Hinojosa S.A. Hinojosa expects the system, coupled with a new EFI Fiery digital front end, will allow it to develop a broader range of longer-run, multi-SKU and versioned production applications.
EFI currently sells its digital print systems directly. When asked whether EFI would consider selling its VUTEk line through the dealer channel, Gecht left open the possibility, but reiterated the company’s focus on direct sales. “Our core value is what we can do for the customer, not how we get to the customer,” he said.
Fireside Chat with Guy Gecht, EFI CEO, and Jeff Jacobson, Xerox CEO
New Xerox CEO Speaks
Gecht invited Xerox Corporation’s new CEO, Jeff Jacobson, to the stage for a Q&A session. He spoke about Xerox being seen as an industry icon. “The word ‘icon’ is used a lot. Some icons haven’t kept their juice, haven’t stayed lively. That’s what we need to do,” said Jacobson.
He also touched on other areas where he sees Xerox needing to focus:
- High-volume inkjet. It will represent the biggest R&D investment for Xerox, but Jacobson said that Xerox continues to invest heavily in its xerography technology as well.
- “Delayer” the company. Jacobson said that Xerox has had too many management layers, and this has made it harder for partners and customers to work with the company.
- Do a better job commercialize technology coming from its R&D centers. We’ve heard this before, but Jacobson struck a practical, no-nonsense tone. Maybe he’ll be the one to make this goal a reality.
