IFS managing director Eric Keane

In 2024 there will be a continuation of the pressures felt during 2023 – high interest rates, high inflation, labour and skill shortages, and some disrupted supply chains. There will likely be an accelerated trend in mergers and acquisitions for ambitious print companies to make either strategic acquisitions of their competitors, or in order to secure diversity in their product offering, do this through acquisition of other companies.

The sector will continue with consolidation and this will drive more investment in more technology and automation. The latter, in particular, was an accelerating trend in 2023. Most leading print companies have been looking to increase investment in more automated print finishing systems. This in turn has enabled IFS, in collaboration with our partners Horizon and Tecnau, to be at the forefront in supplying innovative, automated print finishing systems, that meet this demand to reduce operator touch points, improve output speeds and utilise less labour.

With the world around us so uncertain, trade fairs like drupa really do bring the business communities together. Business people do mix, and with that entrepreneurship and enterprise flourishes.

Phil McMullin, head of sales for Commercial & Industrial, Epson UK

Continuous improvements with sustainability considerations at their core will remain a significant focus for print production environments and suppliers in the short-to-medium term. Epson strives to build technologies that last and support responsible and efficient production. As we develop our own printheads, print hardware, and print software, we’re able to deliver a very customer-focused portfolio that responds to increased demand for product longevity and reduced energy and waste. We can also help operations explore the most effective options as well as offer support, advice, and guidance when it is needed. 

Ease of use is crucial for both operational efficiency and the ability to move into new markets. Simple and fast setup via user-friendly touchscreen ensures operator confidence and quick throughput to maintain agile and responsive production. These are key persuaders for businesses considering their next steps towards successful growth, and  empower operations to expand their offerings. This is important to help them capitalise on the growth opportunities of markets such as personalisation, where production needs to be right the first time, and every time.

Martyn Train, managing director, Duplo UK

With a steady 2023 under our belt we turn our sights to 2024 and the future of print, which appears to be thriving with resilience and innovation. Despite digital communication’s prevalence, our industry is undergoing a renaissance, embracing cutting-edge technologies to enhance its relevance to add value to the consumer, especially in sectors such as education, greetings cards and the recovery of in-plants.

This resurgence is fuelled by a growing appreciation for tangible, tactile experiences as well as the enduring appeal of high-quality printed products. As we have always said, print in its various forms continues to play a pivotal role in communication and the purchasing experience, offering a unique and timeless way to engage audiences.

At Duplo we are really excited about drupa and some of the new products we’ve been itching to show the industry. This includes upgrades to our range, brand new products that will take Duplo into new areas, as well as some innovations that will show how we are preparing for the future of our industry.

Yale Goldis, director strategy, commercial products and solutions at HP PageWide Industrial

As traditional print volumes decline, digital print will continue to grow. Commercial printers adopting the latest high volume production printing capabilities find better economics for themselves and their clients. They will also redefine their offerings and reimagine applications that bridge digital online and physical media.

Publishers are moving towards sustainable, targeted production. Shorter, frequent runs in the market are replacing large, centrally produced orders to mitigate supply chain risks and reduce book miles. Publishers are also adopting ‘gap’ printing, using POD production from the onset of a book’s life cycle, to meet unpredicted demand. 

Direct mail will continue its renaissance in 2024 as marketers rediscover the performance and value of print in the overall marketing mix. While postal and paper costs pressure overall mail volume, digitally printed, personalised, impactful and relevant mail will see healthy growth. 

Business models such as web-to-print meet growing consumer demands for convenient online ordering, customisation and improved customer experience. Closer integration with large data warehouses and powerful marketing engines enable true multi-channel campaigns executed across online and print media.

Will Mansfield, director, solutions marketing, Kodak

In 2023, the pursuit of production efficiencies was paramount. Advances such as higher quality faster inkjet presses, smarter workflow platforms and more automated CtP systems have significantly streamlined production. These innovations have reduced labour requirements and also improved the accuracy and consistency of printing, thus reducing waste. The economic landscape was again characterised by uncertainties and inflationary pressures. To adapt to these challenges for our plate customers, Kodak continued to invest in regional manufacturing as well as technology innovations.

Kodak is anticipating drupa 2024 as a unique opportunity to connect with printers from around the globe and debut new solutions. The show provides a valuable platform for Kodak to engage with customers and prospects and gain deeper insights into their evolving needs. We are excited to showcase our latest innovations in high-speed inkjet, workflow and offset solutions, demonstrating our commitment to advancing the industry. We are committed to being a strategic partner to our customers, helping them navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Duncan Smith, country director, production, Canon UK & Ireland

As customers are expecting faster turnaround times and higher quality products than ever before, we at Canon have seen an increasing demand for cutting-edge inkjet technology in 2023.

Alongside quality and productivity, businesses are starting to realise that inkjet also delivers many economic and environmental benefits. With reliable equipment that harnesses automation, businesses can save on total cost of ownership with reduced power consumption and streamlined workflows. Additionally, inkjet enables print solution providers to broaden their media capabilities and branch out to a variety of markets, such as retail, manufacturing and interior décor.

We’re excited to return to drupa next year alongside some of the key players in the industry. We see this as a huge opportunity to not only showcase new technology, but also celebrate our achievements over the last few years. We expect to see a lot of conversation around the advancement of inkjet technology when it comes to production and wide-format print and are excited to share our developments in this space.

Andy Kent, general manager, Fujifilm UK

Sustainable and energy-efficient machinery and practices were key factors in 2023 when printers were looking at suppliers for equipment or consumables. The market has also seen many mergers and acquisitions as companies join forces to reduce fixed costs.

Energy costs remain a problem but other costs are stabilising, or even going down in some cases. With interest rates moving upwards, we initially saw some reluctance to invest in new equipment in 2023. I think this was because people felt it might be a temporary situation, but are now accepting that the higher rates appear to be here to stay for some time.

Analogue processes are increasingly transforming to digital, particularly in the packaging space where the market is still growing. I expect this to be one of the main trends and biggest opportunities in 2024.

I see AI as another trend with complimentary technology for making quick decisions in time-limited situations. I expect drupa to be well-attended because we will see new sustainable products and services that will inspire print businesses looking for an extra edge.

Charlotte Tueckmantel, GM Enterprise Print & eCommerce, eProductivity Software

2023 in many ways was the reset of the new normal. Coming out of Covid we saw a huge resurgence in our customers’ businesses, and record numbers in many areas. While 2023 took a slight step back it was still well above the Covid years, despite increasing costs across the board. This included the rising cost of people/talent; difficulty attracting new talent is a challenge that the industry has seen for a few years now and we will continue to see in 2024.

The rising costs of people, materials and energy will continue to drive higher levels of automation, supported by the emergence of actionable insights and AI starting to appear in the industry.

For 2024, we see a trend towards more remote or hybrid work in the front office driven by the need for greater flexibility and the challenges to hire skilled people. This shift, enabled by technology and coupled with the arrival or more automation, actionable insight, API integrations and AI will continue to change the landscape.

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The company, which was established in 1982, manufactures traffic signage and signs for a wide variety of commercial applications, whilst providing employment for people with disabilities, who comprise 71% of its employees.

Daren Hollins, head of procurement at Nuneaton Signs said the company sought a new flatbed printer to speed up the production of its signs and manufactured goods. He explained, ‘We went out to tender with various companies and we chose Fujifilm because we were impressed with the cost and efficiency of its inks, the cost of this printer and how overall, it was able to deliver in terms of quality and reliability – all while meeting our financial criteria.’

He continued, ‘It is two-and-a-half times faster than the previous printer we used for the same types of jobs. It is also quick to set up and easy to use, which is particularly important for our team members with disabilities. The service provided by Fujifilm was excellent and efficient. When the machine was installed, it was ready for use – factoring in our training – within a week.’

The Fujifilm UV ink has enabled Nuneaton Signs to print quality jobs on a variety of substrates. With a focus on sustainable materials, Nuneaton Signs prints on polypropylene, 100% recycled and recyclable cast acrylic sheets, polyester sheets, premium fibre structure paperboard, recyclable aluminium composite material, lightweight foam board and others.

Andy Kent, division manager, Fujifilm UK, commented, ‘We value all of our customers and their business requirements. We’re particularly pleased to see that our printer is supporting Nuneaton Sign’s team members with disabilities, ultimately enhancing their independence.’

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In designing the new building, Fujifilm worked with the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, one of its corporate charity partners, to keep the environment around its UK HQ site as habitable as possible for plants, wildlife and animals.

For example, the trust advised on biodiverse landscaping, implementing flowers and plants to maintain habitats for creatures that live on-site, as well as encouraging more wildlife to the surroundings.

Additionally, by installing permeable slabs in the Fujifilm House car park, Fujifilm is able to nurture worms residing in the ground, prevent flooding and help maintain the water table. The company is in the process of adding bird feeders and bat boxes around the outside of the site, as well as installing bee hotels around the car park, which will provide a nesting space and shelter to bees and mini beasts.

The site’s 80 rooftop solar panels are able to generate up to 63,000 kW of electricity each year, saving an impressive 29 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. On a sunny day, the company claims they collectively generate enough electricity to sustain the whole building without needing to draw energy from the grid.

Meanwhile, the site’s interior is fitted out with intelligent LED lights, which are triggered by motion sensors, turning on when they detect movement and remaining off when rooms are empty.

The temperature in the main areas of the building – all inside areas except offices and meeting rooms – is maintained with a centrally controlled comfort cooling system, which is turned off overnight. To accommodate Fujifilm’s evolving company fleet, as well as anticipating the shift away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, the car park at Fujifilm House has 16 charging points for colleagues and visitors to use, and there is capacity to provide double this number in the future as demand grows.

The toilets are flushed with water obtained by a rainwater collection and storage system, and toilet paper is made from completely recycled material. The toilet roll dispensers are made from recycled Tetra Pak packaging.

Andy Kent, divisional manager at Fujifilm, said, ‘It’s important for us all – at an individual and corporate level – to take steps to protect the planet. Our new UK headquarters further demonstrates Fujifilm’s commitment to sustainability across our business, and we look forward to developing our approach and innovating for a sustainable future from Fujifilm House.’

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The Acuity Prime is the first new Fujifilm flatbed since the company ended its long-standing agreement with Canon (formerly Océ) for the latter’s Arizona line of UV-curing printers. It is a 2.54 x 1.7m model able to handle media up to 51mm thick.

RA Smart, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, has already ordered two Acuity Prime presses. One of the machines is intended for Ebbsfleet Printing Solutions, a sign shop and digital print company based in Kent, but the other will be remaining at RA Smart’s Macclesfield head office as a demonstration device. 

Adam Booth, who joined RA Smart earlier this year as a partner and director, and who has been the driving force behind the company’s move into wide-format, commented on the new agreement, saying, ‘Having been in the print industry for years, even once working at Fujifilm myself, I have always been hugely impressed with Fujifilm – with how they operate as a business and of course, their technology. The fact that Fujifilm invests significantly in R&D and ink technology means that they can drive the best return on investment and ensure quality is consistent. This really sets them apart from all other players in the industry. When the Acuity Prime, which sets a new benchmark for price / performance, launched this year, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity of adding it to our product portfolio.’

The director went on to address how he sees the industry developing next year. ‘It hasn’t been a typical year, and I envisage that next year we are going to see a real push within the market – not just within print but also finishing solutions too,’ he said. ‘The entire start-to-end process of helping customers to produce fast turnarounds of high-quality products is a key trend that I expect to see. The Acuity Prime is ideal for meeting these demands, due to its fast print speeds and superb quality. I also foresee many printers replacing their older flatbeds that are expensive to service and support, which is, again, where the Acuity Prime offers a great opportunity. I am looking forward to seeing how the machine benefits our customers’ businesses.’

Andy Kent, divisional manager at Fujifilm Graphic Systems UK added, ‘We are delighted to be partnering with RA Smart – a trusted and reputable print company and supplier. We are confident that this relationship will enable us to reach customers more effectively than ever before.’

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Mr Broadhurst, who was responsible for Fujifilm’s Platesense programme, will be based in Düsseldorf and will be tasked with bringing further innovation to the company’s European offset business. 

‘I’m excited about this new challenge,’ said Mr Broadhurst. ‘Despite being at the forefront of the rapid advances in digital print technology in recent years, Fujifilm has never lost sight of the importance of innovation in offset print processes and technology.’

Mr Broadhurst’s replacement, Andy Kent, brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new role and will be based at Fujifilm’s Bedford HQ. ‘I’m delighted to be taking on the role of divisional manager of Fujifilm Graphic Systems UK,’ Mr Kent said. ‘Fujifilm is a forward-thinking company, at the forefront of technology developments in both the offset and inkjet sectors of our industry. New developments in our Acuity, Onset X and Jet Press ranges have all been made recently and there is still more to come.’

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