Page 35 - Widthwise Magazine

Analysis of this year’s Widthwise survey highlighted a number of key questions regarding the supply chain – so we put them to some of the sector’s key manufacturers.
Widthwise 2020
Danna Drion, senior marketing manager EMEA, Mimaki
Ken Hanulec,
vice president of worldwide marketing, EFI
Carmen Eicher, chief sales and marketing officer, swissQprint
We actively invest about 7.2% of our sales every year in R&D. This budget is used not only to develop and improve our main products, inks and applications, but also used to investigate and develop products related to pre-process and post-process of printing, as well as software for workflow focused on introducing IoT at the production site. In terms of market, our focus remains on the development of the new 3D printing market, while continuing to expand our line-up for the Sign Graphics, Industrial and Textile markets.
We are focusing our inkjet R&D budget on developing technologies in single-pass, water-based inks and automation for the sign and display graphics market as the demand for faster, more efficient and greener printing solutions increases.
We are also leveraging EFI’s position beyond hardware to further improve the integrated portfolio with high-speed digital front-end capabilities and workflow enhancements that take steps out of the production management process of large- format printing.
Our sole focus is on large-format UV flatbed and roll-to-roll devices. Therefore, we spend our entire R&D budget on the development there. Over 25% of our staff at the headquarters in Switzerland work in
R&D, which is where we develop and engineer everything - from the mechanical components to the electronics and the output software. With the investment in an ink laboratory last year, we have taken another big step forward. It guarantees that the inks and our hardware work together optimally, and we can ensure the constant quality of the ink.
We encrypt the data in the printing system to increase data confidentiality.
EFI’s wide-format printers connect through our Fiery DFEs, which have extensive security features. Our print systems also employ the Windows Defender features that are part of Windows 10. And EFI Vutek printers feature an internal firewall to help maximise safety when connecting them to an internal network.
Also, in January 2020 we removed the default passwords that shipped with all Fiery servers - eliminating much of the risk users faced in exposing their networks if they didn’t change it when putting servers on their networks.
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We are constantly working toward developing ‘greener’ products. As an example, we recently introduced a new 600ml eco-cartridge for our popular SS21 inks. This eco-cartridge is reusable and therefore reduces plastic waste. Some of our partners also actively offer environmentally-conscious solutions for their customers. Hybrid Services, our exclusive distributor in the UK, for instance, runs a solvent cartridge recycling scheme.
EFI has helped display graphics professionals reduce their environmental footprint with less waste and reduced energy usage. The LED inks used in many of our printers are also GreenGuard certified.
Several corrugated display producers use our single-pass EFI Nozomi C18000 printer, achieving direct-to-board production, which avoids the substantial waste that would otherwise occur
in litho-lam production. And, our Nozomi inks achieved a leading certification for recyclability.
Of course EFI is also able to refurbish used equipment, extending the life of our printers.
Our shipping distances are short - 80% of our suppliers, providing 90%ofallmachine parts,areSwisscompanies.Asmentioned above, the printers are 100% developed and produced at the swissQprint headquarters in Switzerland.
The UV printing process requires neither heating nor ventilation, which keeps energy requirements low. LED lamps consume little electricity, have an extremely long service life and low emissions. swissQprint products have a service life of up to 12 years, and are low maintenance, which minimises service calls and consumable parts that need replacing.
We listen to what our customers have to say and what the market demands and then provide technical advice and support as they take the first step into new sectors.
On top of that, we strive to be an innovator in the market. We continuously develop our products so that our technology can enable new application possibilities, which inspire and help our customers to expand their offerings and enter new markets.
Helping customers establish a foothold in new areas is an ongoing, proactive conversation. Our work with customers to capture new market opportunities extends beyond the printers we produce. For example, customers are leveraging our MarketDirect platform to establish Web-to-print design capabilities for divisional graphics, packaging and other new applications.
With the opening of our showroom in Bracknell, we are set up to support our UK customers with new application ideas. We have a Nyala flatbed and a Karibu roll-to-roll printer in the showroom - and our application specialists have know-how in different markets and they can run a multitude of tests. The team also offers application training to help customers utilise their machine to the greatest possible extent.
Also, we have taken steps at our headquarters to invest in R&D in terms of applications. This year, we have established our ‘Print Solutions Center’ which focuses on exactly this.
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Of course, the biggest challenge everyone has faced this year
are the changes in consumer preferences and purchasing due to sluggish global economic activities resulting from the Covid-19 crisis. We must respond to these rapid changes appropriately and provide our customers with the added-value they need at this time. In the Mimaki Engineering Group we are thoroughly reviewing our existing medium- to long-term vision and adapting our approach as we build a picture of the ‘new normal’. We will work in order
to do this, with the key objective focused on providing increased customer value.
The Covid-19 pandemic of course creates the biggest challenges for us. Early during the crisis, EFI took proactive steps to ensure production capability on products and, from a service standpoint, we have engaged in more remote service capabilities available in the current generation of EFI printers to help ensure uptime
- even in scenarios where travel restrictions affected in-person service. We continue to focus on ensuring the health and safety of our customers, partners and employees and it is a good guiding principal moving forward as we work to help customers get back to business and back to growth.
In ‘normal times’ we regularly travel to attend trade fairs, visit customers and our partners. As for everyone else, this year is completely different. However, thanks to the fact that we distribute via local subsidiaries and partners in about 40 countries, we can keep communication up through them.
Besides, we have set up some possibilities to keep in touch virtually. We are frequently publishing videos presenting application ideas and special features, and we offer live-streamed demos at our headquarters.