Xerox reorganises (again)

There is no other brand name connected as much to digital print as Xerox. Accordingly, there is considerable attention when an announcement is made that Xerox reorganises (again).

To be honest, Xerox reinvented itself a couple of times. More recently Xerox acquired ACS in 2010 to diversify into services. After some years of little growth and synergies between the two business units, Xerox spun off the service business in 2016 as Conduent. In 2018 a new leadership team under John Visentin was installed by “activist investors” Icahn and Dyson, after terminating the Fujifilm merger and the ensuing divorce from Fuji Xerox. 2019/2020 saw the failed bid for HP takeover. This was followed by donating the PARC research centre, selling off portions of the software business, shuttering the former Impika inkjet activities in France, and terminating the liquid metal 3D print project.

Hunkeler innovationdays 2023 – next level automation

It was good to be at the Hunkeler innovationdays 2023 again, with next level automation as its motto. This certainly held true. 50 print application lines were shown live with many in-line or highly integration solutions.

Hunkeler launched several interesting new pieces of equipment like a B2 cut-sheet finisher moving into a new level of productivity. In the traditional web finishing space a high volume, yet variable book block production line (the Starbook) with added Book Sorting Module was presented. Adding to flexibility and automation was a new autosplicer for fast and easy roll change – either in front of a press or for near-line web finishing lines.

Hunkeler innovationdays bringing more inkjet

Finally, the Hunkeler innovationdays are back, not only bringing more inkjet devices, but also a lot of technology around the presses – of course with finishing being very prominent. If you have not been to the Hunkeler innovationdays: it is the event to get the best possible overview on continuous feed production presses. Not only will all important vendors for digital commercial, publishing and document printing presses be there, the event also allows seeing the latest presses printing side-by-side.

Inkjet Insight: Inkjet Innovation Week

This week is Innovation Week at Inkjet Insight.

From the 14th of June to the 18th Inkjet Insight is hosting the 2021 virtual Inkjet Innovation Week to educate the industry on the latest inkjet technology coming to market across document, labels, packaging and industrial segments. Technology coverage includes presses, press components, software and finishing. Anchoring the event are a series of 60 minute, expert-led webinars during the week of June 14th. An additional 30 minutes has been reserved for Q&A and questions may also be sent to experts in advance.

The 5 days do focus on the following segments:

  • Web-fed document production
  • Sheet-fed document production
  • Packaging & labels
  • Industrial and bespoke systems
  • Inkjet workflow and efficiency (software and hardware)

Inkjet insight - innovation week 2021

Together with Amy Machado from IDC and Elizabeth Gooding I will present on the second day on sheet-fed inkjet. We will cover market data, the latest launches, technology progress, where sheet-fed inkjet makes sense and what might come next.

Register here (for all 5) and join us.

If you missed the Inkjet Insight innovation week 2021, you can also get the presentations for download. Additionally you can contact me for further questions.

Heidelberg to cancel drupa 2021

Heidelberg today announced that the company is to cancel its participation in drupa 2021. After Bobst and Xerox the third printing industry heavyweight dropped out now. Industry experts will feel a déjà vu with the last days of IPEX in 2014, with almost all major exhibitors dropping out before the show – one after another. This sealed the fate of IPEX, the second largest print trade show at its time.

Heidelberg to cancel drupa 2021 participation

Heidelberg justifies the decision of not exhibiting at drupa with the shortening innovation cycles and emerging digital business models. Heidelberg plans to customize its activities in regional markets and segments as well. Plans are to replace trade shows with events at their Print Media Centers (5 globally) and virtual events. Heidelberg pulled out of trade shows in developed countries many years ago, citing they know all customers already and rather invite them to the open house event. As the only exception drupa remained, as “the trade show you need to exhibit to be taken seriously in the graphic arts industry” and as the show that sets the mark for trends and technology developments.