Page 12 - PWM2023_January

NEWS WIDE FORMAT & POSTPRESS

ImageData buys itself a Vutek HP to slim

headcount
for Christmas reduce its gross global head-
HP Inc said it expects to

count by around 4,000 to
6,000 employees by the end
ImageData Group has in waste, flexible UV ink for of its 2025 fiscal year.
placed an order for an EFI stretch fabric [...] it opens up Alongside its results for Q4
Vutek Q5r UV LED roll-to- a few more avenues [com- and the full-year, the manu-
roll printer, installed on 12 pared] to what the machine facturer announced a fiscal
December. The installation it is replacing can do.” year 2023 Future Ready
represents a significant ImageData decided to go Transformation plan, which
upgrade for the firm, as it with the Vutek after seeing it it said would drive significant
will replace ImageData’s in action both at supplier structural cost savings
10-year-old Durst 5m-wide CMYUK’s showroom, then through digital transforma-
press. live on a printer’s produc- tion, portfolio optimisation,
The wait to replace the tion floor. and operational efficiency.
Durst roll-to-roll press had “We looked at [other] The company said it esti-
been longer than usual, The new Vutek will help ImageData to clear post-press bottlenecks mates the actions of its new
according to chief operating bed and HP Indigo 100k at effectively print a spot or machines and essentially plan will result in annualised
officer Glen Patrick, because its Willoughby site after buy- overall varnish without cost- [the Vutek] stood out for us. gross run rate savings of at
the company has been busy ing a pair of Xerox Nuvera ing much more; the press We were impressed, and least $1.4bn (£1.18bn) by the
buying a significant amount 314s and several Duplo fin- also has in-line finishing decided it was the route we end of fiscal 2025. It esti-
of kit for its three sites across ishing machines for its capabilities. should go down. mated that it will incur
the UK. Brighton small-format site. Patrick told Printweek: “It According to Patrick, the approximately $1bn in
In early 2021, for The new six-colour press, will massively help alleviate company is in the process of labour and non-labour costs
instance, the firm took deliv- with white and clear inks, some of those bottlenecks. getting a solar array installa- related to restructuring and
ery of an Inca Onset X3 flat- will allow the company to Then we’ve got reductions tion signed off. other charges.
Fespa to share ‘New Agfa raises Digital Print &

Perspectives’ at 2023 event Chemicals prices

Fespa Global Print Expo Agfa has implement dou-
2023 and European Sign ble-digit price increases
Expo 2023 will return in across its Digital Print and
May, with the strapline Chemicals portfolio world-
‘New Perspectives’. Set to wide, effective 1 January
take place at Messe 2023.
Munich, Germany, from In a statement released on
23-26 May, the events will 29 November 2022, the man-
aim to help print and sign ufacturer said that despite
professionals who are set- sustained efforts in improv-
ting out their strategies for The 2022 event in Berlin attracted 11,647 unique visitors ing efficiency and constant
future success. able growth. Surfex Coverings confirmed sourcing optimisation, these Agfa: ‘We had no other choice’
“Helping our global com- “That’s why our 2023 as sponsors. price increases “are neces- tics, energy and salaries. In
munity to build profitable, event campaign leads with Fespa is also launching a sary to compensate for con- order to run a sustainable
sustainable businesses is at ‘New Perspectives’. We’re tinuing high inflationary business – allowing us to
the heart of Fespa’s mis- inviting printers and sign- new Personalisation pressure on energy, raw guarantee supply and to con-
sion,” said head of Fespa makers to come with open Experience to run alongside material, logistics and salary tinue to bring innovative
Global Print Expo Michael minds, ready to look at the expo. This standalone costs”. products and quality service
Ryan. problems from different event will centre around an Vincent Wille, president of to our customers – we have
“The businesses that have angles and challenge estab- exhibition space open to all Agfa’s Digital Print and
come through the pan- lished perceptions to Fespa Global Print Expo and no other choice but to
demic have already learned unlock growth opportuni- European Sign Expo visitors, Chemicals division, said that, increase the prices of our
the importance of agility ties.” offering “an experiential “Despite our relentless products substantially.”
and flexibility. Now they’re More than 330 exhibitors efforts to contain expendi- Agfa’s Q3 results involved
facing a new set of chal- have signed up for the show showcase of products and tures, we continue to be con- something of a mixed picture
lenges and need to explore so far, with Brother, EFKA, solutions for personalisa- fronted with historically high at the Digital Print &
different avenues for profit- Hanglory, Mimaki, and tion”. costs for raw materials, logis- Chemicals wing.
12 PrintWeek MENA January 2023 www.printweekmena.com