Page 53 - Print 21 Magazine Jul-Aug 2020

Print People
jumped at the chance when the opportunity presented itself to join the organisation.”
His new appointment is seen as a validation of the company’s strategy
of having an Australian heading up
the local business, which has been in place since 2003. The new president of parent company Seiko Epson, Yasunori Ogawa, who, like Heckenberg, is taking over in a challenging time, is expected to continue the strategy, which has seen the local business grow over the past 16 years.
In relation to Epson’s professional print business, this year is set to continue with a swag of new high-end production products set for release. Some models that were originally scheduled for launch at drupa will be rolled out later this year.
“We have lots of new products
to bring to the market. Yes, drupa
is postponed to next April but our professional print portfolio will continue to expand this year into existing and new market segments. I can’t say too much at this stage, but digital textile is an important part of our plan over the next few years.”
As managing director, Heckenberg
has responsibility for and oversight of many technologies and markets other than professional printing. Epson is
a classical technology company with
a leading position in such sectors as projectors, business and home printers, scanners, commercial and industrial printers, and robotics.
“There are lots of different channels for different markets which I am thoroughly enjoying. It gives me great insight into how other industries are operating and what their needs are. Regardless of the technology, you
can utilise the same principles from different markets in order to create new value for customers.”
“My role is to work with our team to make decisions that will enable the business to adapt quickly to the ever-changing conditions and make sure we all get through this together.” – Craig Heckenberg
Heckenberg reorganised the company last year from a divisional structure to being a single corporate unit across the different sectors. “Printing is still an extremely important part of Epson; it has
been part of our DNA ever since the company developed the world’s first miniature digital printer EP-101 back in 1968. And it will continue to play a key role in our future. Epson
is leveraging its IP and experience
in design and manufacturing to expand the use of inkjet across many industries and applications.”
“Inkjet technology continues to change and adapt, the same as the printing industry. Large format printing is a big part of our business now; it’s the go-to technology for many printers who want to introduce a new revenue stream to their business.”
“We will continue to evolve
our business in line with what
our customers are asking for and what society demands. Our core technologies are well positioned to exceed customer expectations and support a sustainable future.”
The pandemic has left an unavoidable hole in activities such
as sales and service, with personnel unable to travel and interface with customers as before. The challenge
is to make the best use of the
spare capacity until things return
to normal. For Heckenberg, this represents an opportunity to develop new skills and learn new systems.
“Ultimately, it’s about strengthening our own capabilities,
learning and using technologies
such as remote communications
and video to adapt to the new business environment. Product demonstrations are obviously more challenging, as is training. Delivering service and support is also proving difficult, especially in regional areas. Our success during this time will
rely heavily on our own ability to learn and adapt, to find new ways to support our customers, our business partners and our employees.”
Even as the company and the industry adjust to the new normal there are still advantages being integrated from ongoing initiatives. A major new warehouse and logistics centre in Yennora in Sydney’s west is proving its worth.
“We moved our warehouse and service centre to a brand-new facility in Yennora in November. It has given us more capacity which is critical
to our future growth plans. We are also building a customer experience centre there, along with another
one at Macquarie Park. Both these experience centres will enable us to engage with our customers in more meaningful ways, while showcasing the full breadth and depth of our entire product portfolio.”
When asked how Epson is now viewed by the printing industry, he takes his time to give a considered reply. It proves to be almost a mission statement for the years ahead.
“Epson is a reputable, admired,
and respected brand around the
world, including in Australia and
New Zealand. It’s certainly renowned as being an innovator, a technology leader with a reputation built on a deep understanding of digital printing. This knowledge has been built up over decades and partially stems from when we introduced the world’s first A3+ digital contract proofing system in 1997. They said that inkjet wouldn’t work, but within a few years it had replaced existing technologies and went on to become the global standard for digital contract proofing.”
“Our printers are regarded by many as having the highest image and colour quality on the market. Some of the world’s best professional photographers stake their reputation on our image quality. They are reliable, which is important for business-critical applications. I believe the company is viewed as a trusted business partner for printers, one that cares about its people, its customers and the environment over the long term.” 21
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