Heidelberg and Fujifilm have teamed up in a digital printing alliance focused on inkjet printing.

The manufacturers described it as "a broad alliance aimed at strengthening existing business and establishing a platform for future-oriented markets". They highlighted the commercial and packaging print markets as key target areas.

The two suppliers will aim to exploit synergies in each company’s global network of customers, and sales and support operations. They will also share know-how on next-generation inkjet printing products and in pre-press.

Heidelberg chief executive Gerold Linzbach forecast that Heidelberg's overall digital business would generate sales of more than €200 million ($285 million) within three years.

[Related: Fujifilm makes PacPrint sales]

Fujifilm chief executive Shigetaka Komori said Heidelberg’s reputation among printers was "unique".

"With Heidelberg’s global market presence in the printing industry we can introduce our products to new customer groups and increase their potential," he said.

Fujifilm acquired inkjet head manufacturer Dimatix in 2006. It first showed its sheetfed B2 inkjet colour press, the Jet Press 720, in 2008 and subsequently launched a colour inkjet web.

The first Jet Press 540W in the world was recently installed at book printer Bell & Bain in Glasgow.

This is Heidelberg’s third major alliance for digital printing. It teamed up with Kodak to develop the NexPress, which launched at Drupa 2000, but the joint venture came to an end in 2004 when Heidelberg sold its stake for just $1 and Kodak took sole ownership. In 2011 Heidelberg teamed up with Ricoh for production printers, in a partnership that is ongoing.

[Related: More news about print partnerships]

This article originally appeared at printweek.com

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