SGIA Expo 2012 Proves Successful for FUJIFILM

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division demonstrated its market-leading inkjet technology before record crowds at the SGIA Expo last week in Las Vegas, NV.

Fujifilm’s booth had a strong showing and garnered a lot of interest from attendees with its display of a broad range of wide format and grand format inkjet equipment including the high productivity Inca Onset S40i UV flatbed, the brand new Acuity Advance Select UV flatbed, the new versatile Uvistar Pro-8, and the high resolution quality Acuity LED 1600.

Also on display and drawing strong interest were various software and technology solutions, and new wide format media for a range of applications.

“This year’s SGIA Expo was an especially successful event for us as we were able to demonstrate our new wide format equipment, ink, software and media solutions,” said Todd Zimmerman, vice president and general manager, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division. “Specialty printers realize the business opportunities in wide format and Fujifilm is bringing new and innovative products to cost effectively produce all types of applications for graphic display and signage.”

Demonstrating its leadership in inkjet technology for wide-format printing, Fujifilm hosted a well-attended press conference at SGIA, featuring three Fujifilm customer panelists: Tom Fitzgerald, vice president, sales support operations for Yunker Industries, Inc. in Lake Geneva, WI; Jim O’Rourke, general manager for National Print Group in Chattanooga, TN; and Tina McLaughlin, president of Great Big Color in Denver, CO. Each panelist described the circumstances that motivated them to invest in Fujifilm equipment, and how their investments are having a positive impact on their ability to better serve their customers and grow their business.

“Hearing directly from customers how investments in our inkjet technology has benefited their business is both powerful and rewarding,” stated Terry Mitchell, director of wide format marketing for Fujifilm. “The customer panel is always the highlight of our press conference.”

The company’s big debut at the show was the launch of the Acuity Advance Select UV flatbed, which built on the highly successful and popular Acuity Advance platform and offers new features that improve production efficiencies and extends the platform’s versatility, enabling its use for a much wider range of applications. Of particular interest to attendees was the clear ink option now available on the 8-channel model of the Acuity Advance Select.

Also on display, the Acuity LED 1600 drew considerable interest as high resolution quality graphics were produced showcasing the white ink and clear ink capabilities of this combination roll and flatbed printer.

A leading supplier of wide format UV and solvent media, Fujifilm showcased its broad range of products from leading industry suppliers, and a range of unique Fujifilm products for specialty applications. Fujifilm’s SGIA booth featured the company’s wide format media products including: banner selections, premium papers, canvas selections, wall graphic media and many others. Additionally, Fujifilm’s new partner, Visual Magnetics, was on display and provided visitors with a “hands-on” interactive demonstration of its patented magnetic-receptive graphic system.

“Once we demonstrated how the system works everyone immediately started to describe applications where they could see innovative use of the media – from menu boards to point of purchase displays” said Terry Amerine, business development manager for Fujifilm’s wide format media products. “The idea of creating an ‘active wall’ where Visual Magnetics media could be easily installed by in-store personnel got everyone thinking about the application possibilities. We expect Visual Magnetics will have a high adoption rate for graphic displays.”

Software and workflow technology continue to be an integral component of Fujifilm’s ever-increasing, ever-improving portfolio of solutions.

“Software allows our high speed, high output printers to stay productive,” said Jeffrey Nelson, business development manager for Fujifilm’s high end inkjet equipment.

ColorGATE’s Production Server 7 with APPE reduces the time it takes to rip a file, Automation software optimizes workflow efficiency, and ColorPath ensures accurate color across multiple print platforms.

“When our software solutions are matched up with the high print speed capabilities of the Onset S40i and Uvistar Pro-8, jobs are turned quicker and it unlocks capacity to produce even more output,” added Mr. Nelson.

The Inca Onset S40i UV flatbed press on display at the show was sold to Laurel Graphics of Kent, WA; and the Uvistar Pro-8 super-wide format printer also on display was sold to Color Ink of Sussex, WI.

“We normally do not close sales at the show unless the customer has already been to our demonstration center and confirmed that our solution will meet his business needs,” said Chris Lomas, vice president of wide format sales for Fujifilm. “We performed several demos during this show and have several more demos scheduled in the coming weeks. And we expect strong sales going forward, as a direct result of exhibiting at the SGIA show.”