Lucien De Schamphelaere, founder of Xeikon, has passed away aged 85. De Schamphelaere was digital pioneer who along with rival Benny Landa launched digital printing a quarter of a century ago.
At Ipex ’93 an unsuspecting audience was rocked by the unexpected arrival of the competing machines. Xeikon and De Schamphelaere employed less of the pazazz of Indigo but the printers have stood the test of time and are now in use around the world.
Xeikon itself has been through several owners since 1993, and is now part of the giant Flint Group, which has just established a direct subsidiary in Australia and New Zealand.
As one of the first people to understand the opportunities opened by digital imaging, he worked tirelessly in the 70s to create an electronic printing machine with a group of close associates, eventually succeeding in 1982, when the small team presented the P400, its first digital black and white printing press, at the Hannover trade show.
After a 40-year career with Agfa-Gevaert, where he formed the company's Electronic Imaging System Department, De Schamphelaere wanted a new challenge. In August 1988 he established the limited liability company, Ellith NV, with just five employees. This company eventually became Xeikon NV, the composition of the Greek words xeros (dry) and eikon (image).
Wim Maes, CEO, Xeikon says “We were so saddened to hear the news of Lucien’s death. He had an amazing passion for digital printing and unstoppable drive that lead him to achieve such an incredible amount in his lifetime. His dedication and pioneering approach remains a key cornerstone of Xeikon today.”
“Once a project gets rolling, I tend to lose interest. I’m happiest at the start of it, when I can develop what doesn’t yet exist”, De Schamphelaere once said in an interview with newspaper ‘De Tijd’.
This goes some way to explain his desire to remain in the background, in contrast to Landa who is the face of his business and has one of the highest profiles in the industry.
De Schamphelaere received multiple distinctions for his pioneering work in the graphics industry, including the GATF-award, the IS&T Award and the prestigious Cary Award (1997).
He remained socially engaged throughout his career, was involved in his local parish and supported charities to help local missionaries.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter