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Companies from around the world are uncovering the tremendous efficiency, versatility, and potential of inkjet web press technology. www.MyPRINTResource.com JUNE 2014 • INKJET'S AGE 7 NEWS UPDATE Kodak and manroland web systems Sign new Authorized Reseller Agreement Kodak and manroland web systems GmbH have signed an agreement to integrate the Kodak Prosper S20 and S30 Imprinting Systems into web press lines. The integration will enable high-value variable print for newspaper ap- plications. Based in Augsburg, Germany, manroland web systems is a 170-year-old web press manufacturer focused on the newspaper and publishing markets and will become the first worldwide reseller and OEM partner focused on the newspaper in- dustry utilizing KO- DAK Stream Inkjet Technology. "We appreciate the technology and engineering experi- ence that manroland web systems brings to this partnership," said Eric Owen, vice president of world- wide sales & busi- ness development for Kodak's Digital Printing & Enterprise Business. "They understand how to mount print heads, control speed and micro-movements and make appropriate adjustments, resulting in a head that is positioned at the right location for printing. This creates a true advantage for customers." Dieter Betzmeier, executive vice president, technol- ogy & project execution, manroland web systems said: "The addition of the S-Series print head technology from Kodak enables us to create new opportunities for our newspaper applications as well as the other markets that we participate in. Personalized advertising, micro-zoning, logistics, codes and gaming customization are just a few applications which are enabled through the use of variable print. Our engineering expertise has allowed us to offer sophisticated integration kits to our web press customers, enabling a high degree of automation for adjusting perfor- mance and delivering proven success. The result is a highly flexible automated system that can be integrated into ev- ery web press." These new systems are available in the market currently, and customers around the world are already taking advan- tage of these high-value personalized print opportunities. MyPRINTResource.com/10005105 Industry Leaders Say Renaissance of Print Has Already Begun Frank Romano, professor emeritus at RIT, asked the speak- ers at an Ipex World Print Summit session if print is doomed or on the verge of a new digital renaissance. They agreed that they see evidence already of print's expansion into new and innovative directions such as variable data and high- margin industrial applica- tions. Keynote speakers EFI CEO Guy Gecht and Landa Corp. CEO Benny Landa addressed a packed audience on the second day of the London-based exhibition. The session looked at trends and the drivers for success needed by today's print companies. "Print using digital technology, such as for direct mail, is on the rise. No other media gets attention in the same way, and digital lets our industry add value," Gecht told the audience. "We have to realize that in five to 10 years from now, there may be less print, but what is left will be higher in value." "Unlike publishing, most commercial print and packag- ing apps can simply not be replaced by digital media," Landa added. Gecht also said EFI is passionate about building relation- ships with customers, most of which are already involved with digital print and have already moved up this value chain. In the run-up to Ipex his extensive European program of visits included companies in Germany, France and the UK. "The success of these businesses lies mostly with those where a significant part uses digital technology, and there is a definite shift from very long runs to tailored, on-demand jobs with VDP," Gecht continued. "EFI's decision to come to Ipex was based on a long-term plan to double down on customers in Europe, which included significantly increased investments in the region with acquisitions, increased support staff, and building a large new demo centre in Brussels. Meeting our customers is more important to us than the size of the trade show." The two discussed the much-anticipated Nanographic press technology driven by the EFI Fiery. "The incorporation of EFI technology into the Nanographic press is a technological chal- lenge our team is excited about and one that will make Fiery an even better technology for the future," Gecht concluded. MyPRINTResource.com/10005156 QPsupp_7-9_0614 News.indd 7 5/15/14 11:53 AM