The world’s biggest litho press manufacturer Heidelberg will produce an inkjet press, signing a deal with Fujifilm to create a broad strategic alliance designed to enable the companies to become major players in the inkjet market, with Heidelberg aiming to create a $200m business from digital. Under the deal Heidelberg will provide the engineering – the press, the chassis, the paper transport – while Fujifilm will be responsible for the inkjet technology.
Heidelberg’s German rivals manroland and KBA are already in the inkjet market, manroland through its partnership with Canon / Oce, and KBA with its own inkjet press which it is developing with RR Donnolley. The Japanese manufacturers are also in inkjet, Komori signing a deal with Benny Landa only this week, while Ryobi is developing an inkjet press with Myakoshi, which was seen at drupa last year in development stage. Heidelberg and Fujifilm say the strategic global collaboration targets growth potential in commercial and packaging markets. Synergies expected by leveraging sales strength and global customer service network in each company. Meeting current and future customer needs remains primary for Fujifilm and Heidelberg as both companies continue to focus their portfolios on market segments with the greatest potential for profitability and growth. Heidelberg says its goal is to also become a global player in the digital printing applications market. Gerold Linzbach, CEO of Heidelberg says, “”In Fujifilm we have found an internationally recognised partner with innovative strengths in future-oriented areas – consumables and inkjet technology. This marks a significant step forward in our corporate strategy. Fujifilm’s prepress capabilities and their technologies in the area can enhance and grow existing business. With Fujifilm’s inkjet technology we can build on the experience in digital printing gained through other partnerships and quickly move into the peak performance segment. It is our goal to also become a global player in the growing digital printing applications market. Together with Fujifilm we can meet customer needs more efficiently and more quickly. Within three years we envision a sales potential for Heidelberg in the digital business of more than €200m.” Fujifilm says it can create new markets with its cutting-edge technologies.” Shigetaka Komori, chairman and CEO of Fujifilm says, “”Fujifilm and Heidelberg have led the printing industry in each domain. Heidelberg’s strong customer network opens important new possibilities for inkjet technologies. With Heidelberg’s global market presence in the printing industry we can introduce our products to new customer groups and increase their potential. With Heidelberg’s manufacturing know-how we will be able to enhance innovation and develop technologies that will open new roads in digital printing. Our cutting-edge inkjet technology, leveraged by the Jet Press 720 for example, gains new potential.”
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