Destination Drupa: The top quotes
Amazing! That is one way to describe Drupa 2016. It was an interesting 11 days what with print behemoths giving access to the 300,000 trade visitors – and proving a peek at some incredible kit. Noel D'cunha and Rushikesh Aravkar who were prowling the 19 exhibitor halls and looking at what the 1,837 exhibitors from 54 countries - including 48 from India - were showcasing. The Indian duo eavesdrop on the buzz at the show., Business
17 Jun 2016 | 5620 Views | By Rushikesh Aravkar & Noel D'Cunha
Usui: inkjet ‘finally mainstream’
Minoru Usui, president, Epson
The new SureColor P-series (wide-format) and the Sure-Press (label press). We are producing world-leading quality – I believe that nobody can surpass the quality we’re producing, and the speed is incredible.
There are lots of really big booths. It’s clear that digital is firmly positioned and inkjet is finally mainstream technology. It’s also obvious that everyone understands that inkjet is the technology of the future. We’ve raised the performance of our printhead to a level where we can feel very confident about that.
Over the next 10 years, we plan to at least double the size of the business.
The energy and innovation on show prove that print is anything but dying
Enrique Lores, HP president of Imaging and Printing
Drupa is important to us, because of the huge number of people that get to see and experience our products – we have more than 10,000 people going through our booth daily.
Enrique Lores, HP president of Imaging and Printing
Drupa is important to us, because of the huge number of people that get to see and experience our products – we have more than 10,000 people going through our booth daily.
In terms of return, we measure it in the sales that we think we are securing at the show, and as you can imagine those are measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The energy that print is displaying is brilliant. Outsiders have this image of print as a dying industry, but when you come to the show and see the energy of the customers and the innovation bought by HP and our competitors, then it proves that printing is anything but dying.
Ireally get excited when I see all the new possibilities we have
Rokus van Iperen, EMEA president and chief executive, Canon talks about the importance of merging cultures
Well, of course, if you want to merge two companies like Canon, 75 years old, and Océ, 125 years old, you have to face up to different corporate cultures, but the starting point was very good because we had the same beliefs and the same objectives.
I must say that we have managed to maintain the entrepreneurial culture of Océ and in Canon as well. I think the best combination is the technology of Océ and the fantastic value of the Canon brand. It opens doors everywhere.
Inkjet – keystone of the future
Hisanori Makaya, corporate vice-president of Fujifilm Corporation, and president, Fujifilm Global Graphic Systems
Fujifilm’s Superia solution pulls together the benefits of the company’s extensive offset product portfolio, incorporating its XMF workflow, CTP systems, plates and pressroom chemistry. However, the power of Superia comes from using these solutions together to minimise resources and maximise production efficiencies and profitability across five key areas – materials, labour, energy, water and the environment. Fujifilm is continuing to focus its R&D resources on developing new pre-press solutions that address the fundamental need to make offset printing more profitable on a global basis. As a result, Fujifilm will launch the next generation of pre-press products including, for example, new processless plates, to achieve this aim.
Inkjet – keystone of the future
Hisanori Makaya, corporate vice-president of Fujifilm Corporation, and president, Fujifilm Global Graphic Systems
Fujifilm’s Superia solution pulls together the benefits of the company’s extensive offset product portfolio, incorporating its XMF workflow, CTP systems, plates and pressroom chemistry. However, the power of Superia comes from using these solutions together to minimise resources and maximise production efficiencies and profitability across five key areas – materials, labour, energy, water and the environment. Fujifilm is continuing to focus its R&D resources on developing new pre-press solutions that address the fundamental need to make offset printing more profitable on a global basis. As a result, Fujifilm will launch the next generation of pre-press products including, for example, new processless plates, to achieve this aim.
The Jet Press 720S has been hugely successful since its launch, with over 70 installations to date around the world, and it remains the only commercially proven and available B2 inkjet press on the market today. Its success is a result of a commitment to constantly improve the fundamental technologies in the press. It is now a true workhorse press for ultra-high quality, short run printing, and printers are increasingly switching from traditional offset and toner-based digital presses to the Jet Press 720S because of its outstanding performance. By the further expansion of the company’s core inkjet expertise, Fujifilm is also introducing a new LED UV inkjet press for flexible packaging applications, with this new press also showcased on our stand at Drupa 2016.
The right technology for the right application
Wim Maes, president of Xeikon
The Trillium One is the first system to use Tonnik toner technology. But even with the introduction of the Trillium or fusion technology, Xeikon’s focus remains firmly on dry toner. More than 60% of our investment in R&D is for further developing dry toners. Why? Because we are convinced that the printing industry will not want to be dominated by just one technology. In the future it will be a case of using the right technology for the right application – or in some cases a combination of technologies.
We have no plans for developing a complete finishing range. There are many high-quality machines on the market, and a lot of manufacturers like Bograma, Highcon and Kama are members of our Aura Partner Network. Our FDU closes a gap. The response has been overwhelming so far. To what extent we will follow up on this, remains to be seen.
Enhanced digitisation and networking of systems and processes
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, chief executive, Koenig & Bauer
A wide variety of unique printing methods
Philippe Fiol, group business development director at Komori International Europe (KIE)
In my book The Medici Effect published in 2004 the key message is that we have the best chance of finding ground-breaking innovation when we step into the intersection of different industries, disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, etc. In other words, embrace diversity – of thought, perspectives, experience, expertise – to drive innovation. This concept of the ‘Medici Effect’ was inspired by the Medici family in Florence, whose patronage of artists, architects, scientists and philosophers helped bring about a new age of creativity, discovery and innovation in Europe, the Renaissance.
Intersectional thinking means questioning assumptions about your industry, looking to the unexpected and even the illogical for inspiration, and calling on those outside the industry to help address your most pressing challenges. Every industry has its rules, its best practices; if the industry doesn’t challenge these itself, someone else will. Just ask the TV industry, Detroit and the airline industries. They found themselves challenged by the likes of Netflix, Tesla and Virgin and Jetblue.
We have crossed the threshold of true offset quality, and with 24/7 reliability
Benny Landa, founder and chairman, Landa Digital Printing
People should be sceptical whenever a new technology is introduced – nobody knew after we showed it last time if it would really deliver. But now that it delivers 20 times a day in the demos and people see the amazing quality and speed that comes out of these machines then people are no longer sceptical – it’s a done deal, a fact, this is real, and that’s what’s really exciting.
Enhanced digitisation and networking of systems and processes
Claus Bolza-Schünemann, chief executive, Koenig & Bauer
The buzz word Industry 4.0 being bandied about in many industries will have a strong presence at Drupa 2016 because in this respect, our industry is further on than others.
Further consolidation in the market, especially in Western Europe and America; increasing demands on the quality and complexity of print products– this applies to magazines and books as well as the entire range of packaging; and new variants of materials to be printed from paper to cardboard, corrugated board, plastic and aluminium foil, sheet metal, glass and ceramics.
And, thanks to the possibilities of non-contact digital printing, new applications for print in the field of industrial and functional printing.
A wide variety of unique printing methods
Philippe Fiol, group business development director at Komori International Europe (KIE)
Komori is now developing an approach called Connected Print as part of our New Information Communications Technology (ICT) concept.
ICT is based on three main pillars: the KP Connect cloud system for data sharing; K-station 4, a printing task control software package; and our K-Color-Simulator, an integrated colour matching software package. ICT provides us with preventive maintenance tools, production flow management and scheduling. Data sharing between Komori and all players in the field, in the safe environment of a cloud system, spreads the know-how all over the company. Using the latest connected devices on the market, our customers get real-time information and a visualisation of the entire production workflow. This strengthens the decision-making process, generates labour savings and enhances overall productivity.
Print – for good
Brad Kruchten, president, Kodak Print Systems Division and senior vice-president, Eastman Kodak Company
Frans Johansson, founder and chief executive of The Medici GroupPrint – for good
Brad Kruchten, president, Kodak Print Systems Division and senior vice-president, Eastman Kodak Company
We’ve seen some fantastic results from our customers around the globe. For example, based on these results, if every printer in the US switched to process-free plates, the printing industry would save 237 million gallons of water, 363 million kWh of energy and 1.6 million gallons of plate developer every year.
As they began adopting process- free plates, commercial printers realised that this new technology could actually save them money, rather than adding to their costs. Once deployed, process-free plates can save printers up to €1,200 a month just by eliminating the processing step.
Finding groundbreaking innovation
Finding groundbreaking innovation
In my book The Medici Effect published in 2004 the key message is that we have the best chance of finding ground-breaking innovation when we step into the intersection of different industries, disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, etc. In other words, embrace diversity – of thought, perspectives, experience, expertise – to drive innovation. This concept of the ‘Medici Effect’ was inspired by the Medici family in Florence, whose patronage of artists, architects, scientists and philosophers helped bring about a new age of creativity, discovery and innovation in Europe, the Renaissance.
Intersectional thinking means questioning assumptions about your industry, looking to the unexpected and even the illogical for inspiration, and calling on those outside the industry to help address your most pressing challenges. Every industry has its rules, its best practices; if the industry doesn’t challenge these itself, someone else will. Just ask the TV industry, Detroit and the airline industries. They found themselves challenged by the likes of Netflix, Tesla and Virgin and Jetblue.
We have crossed the threshold of true offset quality, and with 24/7 reliability
Benny Landa, founder and chairman, Landa Digital Printing
People should be sceptical whenever a new technology is introduced – nobody knew after we showed it last time if it would really deliver. But now that it delivers 20 times a day in the demos and people see the amazing quality and speed that comes out of these machines then people are no longer sceptical – it’s a done deal, a fact, this is real, and that’s what’s really exciting.
There will always be things to overcome; it’s an ongoing process – we continue to improve. The good thing is that we have crossed that threshold of true offset quality and with the reliability you need to run 24/7 in an industrial environment. We’re in a great place.
Touch-free workflows
Bruno Müller, chief executive of Müller Martini
Shorter print runs and the opportunities of digital have therefore been shaping our innovations for years. ‘Finishing 4.0’ represents a new generation of solutions enabling the industrial and commercial production of customised print products.
And this applies to all performance classes and product segments: books, catalogues, magazines, brochures and newspapers.
The goal is a fully automated production system that is able to prepare for a new product based on the digital job data and start production without any manual intervention. Any changes in the process should be detected and compensated for. This requires a continuous workflow, a high degree of automation and very precise engineering. We perfectly align those three components, achieving – in an ideal scenario – touch-free workflows. This enables our customers to keep their production costs low despite shorter runs and increasing product variety.
Industrial print – UV-printing offers new market opportunities
Mike Horsten, general manager marketing EMEA, Mimaki Europe
Industrial print is the process of printing something that becomes part of something. So the printed element is part of a bigger project. For example, a washing machine is made up of many parts, each of which is useless on its own. And because there are so many items to be combined into a working whole, it’s imperative to keep track of them so they can easily be identified for assembly. The easiest way is to use print, of course. A barcode or a part number does the job just fine. The printing is usually carried out on a single-pass printer in one colour, whether it is label, pad or screen printing.
So how can digital print excel in the industrial arena? In the EU alone there are 17 languages, and there are now rules in place that all information on the machines needs to be printed in the local language. To go back to washing machines, this means that a large amount of items would need to be printed all over again. An expensive exercise, not just in terms of printing costs, but also storage and logistics.
With digital’s capabilities, one can print the parts for Slovenia, Estonia and other smaller EU countries in the factory itself, at the assembly location, securing timely delivery and a low production cost. They can be printed in the correct language, personalised with the manufacturers’ name in whatever quantity needed.
Tailored print then enables the manufacturer to tailor the production line to match logistics: five units for manufacturer X, in language Y, all compliant with local and EU regulations. Changes can be made on the fly ensuring better economics in the production facilities.
So, a small investment in a digital industrial printer could save you some headaches in post-assembly.
You push the button, we’ll do the rest. Science, great products and simplicity
Jeff Clarke, chief executive, Kodak
You push the button, we’ll do the rest. Science, great products and simplicity
Jeff Clarke, chief executive, Kodak
Today we’re $1.8bn in revenue and $1.6bn of that is non Prosper business. So 95% of the company is still as it is: which is traditional printer, CTP, packaging, still inkjet printing with Versamark, digital printing with NexPress, micro 3D printing; and consumer and film.
Some areas grow faster than others. Our fastest growing product is our Sonora – our environmentally sensitive, no-chemistry plate – it has grown from zero to 18% of all of our plates and will grow up to 30% in the next couple of years. And printing on packaging has very fast growth.
Printing is alive like never before
Ralf Sammeck, managing director of KBA-Sheetfed Solutions
In addition to digital web printing and the new KBA Rotajet L as well as specialised printing techniques, sheetfed offset printing for packaging and new solutions such as LED-UV for commercial printers will be a key focus. KBA-Sheetfed is probably the only exhibitor at Drupa showing a hightech, large-format system with the enhanced Rapida 145. This six-colour machine with coater tower and automated pile logistics comprises a whole host of new features to further automate print production, including – for the first time – a double-pile delivery system. This also includes medium-format machines. In all of this, KBA 4.0, i.e. digital integration and automation in the print room and beyond, plays a central role.
Printing is alive like never before
Ralf Sammeck, managing director of KBA-Sheetfed Solutions
In addition to digital web printing and the new KBA Rotajet L as well as specialised printing techniques, sheetfed offset printing for packaging and new solutions such as LED-UV for commercial printers will be a key focus. KBA-Sheetfed is probably the only exhibitor at Drupa showing a hightech, large-format system with the enhanced Rapida 145. This six-colour machine with coater tower and automated pile logistics comprises a whole host of new features to further automate print production, including – for the first time – a double-pile delivery system. This also includes medium-format machines. In all of this, KBA 4.0, i.e. digital integration and automation in the print room and beyond, plays a central role.
Growing opportunities in short-run digital packaging
John DiVincenzo, vice-president and general manager, Digital Packaging Business, Xerox
At Xerox, our packaging solutions are designed to streamline integration and workflows to remove bottlenecks all while delivering end-products that meet stringent quality guidelines. The Xerox Automated Packaging Solution (XAPS) – an integrated, inline folding carton solution supported with the help of coating partners Tresu and EPIC, and die-cutting partner Kama – enables the production of shorter-run specialised packaging that better meets customer needs. We also have strong capabilities that can be applied across other packaging market segments including direct-to-shape printing and corrugated materials. These include our wide array of printing technologies, skills in system integration, and partnerships in workflow and finishing that help us deliver a complete solution.
Another area we’re heavily focused on in packaging is brand protection. High-value and high-risk products such as pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, and health and beauty items merit special treatment to protect their authenticity.
For example, the Xerox BrandSecure Packaging Solution enables serial numbering and security markings to be applied to individual packages as part of the imaging process. The Xerox Printed Addressable Memory Label can store as much as 36 bits of rewritable memory, encrypted security codes and additional product information.