Branding the changes as a ‘reinvention’, Xerox CEO Steven Bandrowczak said in a Xerox statement, ‘The shift to a business unit operating model is a continuation of our client-focused, balanced execution priorities and is designed to accelerate product and services, go-to-market, and corporate functions’ operating efficiencies across all geographies we serve.’

Within the core print business, the plan is to simplify the product range while increasing investment in a ‘partner-enabled go-to-market model’ and the pursuit with partners of ‘strategic market share gains’ by means of ‘increasing reach, improving cost to serve, and enhancing profitability’. What this means for Xerox’s offerings in the commercial print sector is not clear, but it is perhaps noteworthy that no significant new product introductions have been made here since the 2019 launch of the Baltoro sheet-fed inkjet press, following 2018’s launch of the popular Iridesse six-colour dry toner production press. The Baltoro was updated in 2020 to increase its substrate flexibility via an additional drying unit, and new low-end and mid-production toner presses introduced.

At Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023, Xerox was the only digital press vendor present not to have a digital web press, having retired the Trivor and Brenva models and showing only the Baltoro. Further to the ending of the Fuji-Xerox agreement it no longer has exclusivity on the Iridesse platform, which was manufactured under the joint agreement and now faces competition from Fujifilm’s own Revoria line, which became available in the UK in April 2023.

The new Global Business Services unit is described in vague terms but appears to be targeted predominantly at existing corporate and enterprise customers. It too seems to be relying on simplification and lowered transaction costs, with generic promises about improving quality for both clients and employees via continuous improvement.

The IT and digital services unit is intended to ‘accelerate revenue diversification toward markets with higher growth and profitability profiles’. This presumably builds on the Care AR and related software products that were introduced in 2022 and which were featured at Hunkeler in February 2023, along with FreeFlow Vision workflow and analytics software. In an autumn 2022 presentation, Mr Bandrowczak also noted that AI techniques which had already been implemented in the Baltoro press would be further diversified into support for production printing. It is not clear if this will continue; nor is it immediately apparent where the July 2022 acquisition of direct mail specialist Go Inspire sits within the new structure.

Darren Cassidy, managing director UK & Ireland, and SVP EMEA enterprise at Xerox, told Digital Printer, ‘With our new operating model, we will simplify our print offerings and stay aligned with what our clients are solving for in today’s workplace, whether that be home, office or production print environments. That also includes investments in software and services to pursue strategic market share gains and increase reach with partners, while reducing costs and improving profitability.

‘For more than a century, Xerox has been a technology pioneer, continually redefining the workplace experience. As our business evolves, we will continue to prioritise innovation and deliver the best possible hardware, software, and services for our clients and partners.’

To support the new model various changes in the leadership team at Xerox have been made. Effective immediately, John Bruno, president and CEO, will lead the enterprise alignment of  the print, digital services, and IT services businesses. Louie Pastor returns to Xerox as chief transformation & administrative officer, charged with overseeing the Xerox Reinvention Office and the newly-established Global Business Services organisation. Tracey Koziol, executive vice president of Global Offering Solutions and chief product officer who had responsibility for the professional print products, left at the end of 2023.

A 15% worldwide workforce reduction is expected to be implemented in the first quarter of 2024. No information was provided on how or where these job cuts will be made.

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The Brand Deployment business provides marketing services to major brands. The Customer Experience business provides inbound and outbound multi-channel customer communications services for large UK brands, including Lloyds Banking Group. According to reports on BBC News, administrators have blamed the collapse on ‘challenging trading conditions’ that has persisted for some time and which ‘included declining volumes in the wake of the emergence of digital technologies and increased costs of production’.

Paragon says its acquisition of the Brand Deployment business creates new client relationships and extends some existing ones. The deal includes the agencies Twelve and Editions and the point of purchase specialist Vox Group which expands the services that Paragon can offer existing clients. The Brand Deployment business employs more than 300 people and has presence in over 20 countries. It has expertise in permanent and temporary point of sale, digital displays, brand merchandise and print.

Paragon’s acquisition of some assets of the Customer Experience business is principally for the delivery of services for Lloyds Banking Group. This will see Paragon managing over 100 million communications, to and from the bank’s customers annually.

Jeremy Walters, CEO of Paragon said, ‘I’m delighted that we’ve been able to close this deal. We’re now looking forward to releasing the potential that’s been created and to giving stability and a clear path forward to our impressive new colleagues and clients.’

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The joint statement from the companies says, ‘Hunkeler and Müller Martini have been very close for many years. The long and successful history began during the Second World War, when Hans Müller worked for Hunkeler as a mechanical engineer before setting up his own business in 1946 and founding the company Hans Müller / Grapha. These good relations have been maintained for decades. The local proximity in the Zofingen region and the already existing and successful partnership in the machine and component business form an ideal starting point for even closer cooperation in the future.

‘By joining forces, both companies see great opportunities to bundle their innovation activities and to serve their global customer base even better in the future through joint sales and service activities. The two owner families have therefore decided on this strategic transaction that led to the acquisition of Hunkeler AG by Müller Martini AG.’

Bruno Müller is quoted as saying, ‘The graphic arts industry is constantly changing and regularly calls for new innovations. By combining the key components of the two companies, such as personnel, expertise and technology, we will be able to serve our global clientele even better with innovative solutions in the future.’

The following is attributed to Stefan and Michel Hunkeler: ‘There is a long-standing partnership between Hunkeler and Müller Martini and a regular exchange. The opportunity for the merger is currently greatly beneficial for both partners and our joint customers, as it will result in considerable advantages in a combined enterprise. This is also a strong commitment for the Zofingen region.’

It is not clear what the implications will be for the companies’ separate operations across Europe and beyond, or their relationships with distributors and customers in countries where there are no direct subsidiaries; Hunkeler is distributed in the UK by Friedheim International, for example, while Müller Martini has its own UK operation. The future of the popular and well-attended Hunkeler Innovationdays event, which focuses on high-end inkjet printing systems and was last held in February/March 2023, and not due to recur until early 2025, is also unknown at this point.

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The Hunkeler Compact Air Cleaner HKA is described as a low cost, low footprint solution to the issue of manufacturing dust and fibres emitted by machinery with moving parts and materials of a powdery or fibrous nature, which includes inks and coatings, papers, cardboards and fabrics, as well as some metal and plastic work, and which may cause several serious respiratory ailments as well as skin and eye conditions.

The HKA is a free-standing, portable unit that uses a standard 230V power supply and is offered in a range of four sizes, suitable for small or large manufacturing spaces, and cleans ambient air via a filter system. The filters are certified to ISO16890 and can trap dust, fibres, pollen, smoke, bacteria, viruses and similar allergens, keeping air quality to FFP2-3 standards, with other filtration options available. The system are able to clean up to 10,000 cubic metres of air per hour, but consume only 750W maximum.

In addition to helping compliance with various pieces of UK health and safety legislation, the air cleaner units may help improve product quality, thanks to a cleaner factory and cleaner machinery, which also improves mechanical health and associated costs. Workplace/factory cleaning time is said to be reduced by up to 60%, and energy and HVAC costs can also be reduced due to improved  air circulation.

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The system is largely automated via bar- or 2D codes, though set-up changeovers take around three minutes, Digital Printer was told. Once running, it handles web printed input at 250m/min and can output 2000 stacks or single books per hour, supporting fully variable page count and spine lengths. Tight web alignment is used throughout the system, with production data along the roll edge scanned to automate folding parameters. The system was demonstrated producing 6-up and 4-up signatures and uses a plough folder to make the necessary folds, which can include gatefolds.

The folded web is then fed into a cutter and thence to a new stacker where a light glue application is added to hold the block together. A star wheel then combines the folded and cut signatures to assemble the book blocks via three independent sections, which allows a first in first-out mode and does not require de-stacking of blocks for further processing. A further read of the production data then prepares the block for its eventual binding type and the blocks are compressed ready for exit.

A new optional book sorting module allows books then to be diverted into a number of separate bins for further processing/binding.

There is also a Starbook Webfolder configuration suitable for producing soft- or hardcover books based on four-page signatures. It too supports variable page counts and spine lengths at web speeds of up to 180m/min. It is fed by the RX8 Media Changer that allows changing of supported media rolls with automatic on-the-fly splicing.

Hunkeler also demonstrated a direct mail solution which features two-axis scoring or perforation plus buckle folding for a variety of mail types including self-mailers, and a multi-format finishing line that can handle everything from postcards to direct mailers to books.

The Starbook system is available immediately with first installations – of which there were four at the time of writing – having taken place at the end of 2022 or in early 2023. UK and Ireland distribution is handled by Friedheim International.

Hunkeler has also reported that the 2023 Innovationdays event attracted some 6700 visitors, an increase on the 2019 figure; the next iteration of the event has been confirmed for 24 – 27 February 2025, again in Lucerne.

A report from the 2023 Hunkeler Innovationdays will appear in the March/April issue of Digital Printer. If you have not already registered for the magazine in printed or digital versions, you may do so free of charge here.

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While the terms of the deal have not been disclosed, Crown van Gelder said it is in its ‘best financial position in [its] 126–year history’, debt-free with €30 million of equity, and anticipates growing its 250-strong workforce this year. The company indicated that it will be making three significant announcements in 2023, the first of which is the new ownership.

‘Having EPAC as our partner is more than we could have dreamed of. CvG and EPAC codeveloped our leading inkjet paper more than five years ago and have continuously innovated even better performing papers. EPAC has always wanted the best for CvG and the industry as a whole. EPAC always told us to sell our unrivalled inkjet paper to everyone, including their direct competitors, without asking for a penny or royalties. They realise there is much more value in innovations and scaling up, than trying to keep things for themselves. This will change the industry in a great way for our customers,’ said Jan Rops, director of CvG.

‘CvG has the best inkjet paper and EPAC has the best quality and automation technology. The fact that we will be able to offer EPAC’s solutions to our key customers will change the world of digital printing and our other key markets. Many customers asked us ‘how is EPAC so successful and efficient?’. Now all of our customers will benefit from the same solutions,’ added Rodney Jansen, sales director of CvG.

‘CvG is an amazing company, with amazing employees, and incredibly loyal customers. We are honoured to be chosen as their partner,’ said Sasha Dobrovolsky, CEO of EPAC.

The paper maker says it plans to grow its inkjet, industrial and alternative fibre papers.

Inkjet papers will be the subject of a Consumables focus feature in the forthcoming March/April issue of Digital Printer. If you are not already registered to receive it, you can do so here for free.

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Thanks to changes in drop size and frequency of firing, plus appropriate adjustments in the drying stages, the Advantage 2200 can now run at its full 152m/min in its Quality mode, up from 101m/min at the press’s launch. Annette Friskopp, global head and general manager at HP PageWide also told Digital Printer that the use of dual drop sizes to achieve this also leads to an overall ink saving, adding that the 8x nozzle redundancy in the black channel and 4x redundancy in the other three channels help to sustain the quality and throughput.

Responding to European energy price concerns, Ms Friskopp also noted that the two-dryer configuration of the press, which uses air cooling for the paper, saves 20% energy compared to the three-dryer water-cooled configuration, though this will limit some types of heavy coverage and/or heavy stock work. Additions to the ColorPro range of dedicated coated inkjet papers developed by various mills and optimised for HP print technology were also shown at the Hunkeler event.

Built-in colour management via an ILS spectrophotometer now makes profiling specific media and print settings combinations much quicker, either using HP’s supplied profiling tools included in its Advanced Color Suite (which includes offerings from CGS Oris and X-Rite) or by exporting measurement data for processing in other software. The inline spectrophotometer is fitted as standard on the Advantage 2200 and is available as a retro-fit option on other PageWide presses.

Overall workflow optimisation can be achieved via the new Smart Workcell Controller, software that batches work across press, finishing requirement and job and media type, allowing for coverage and drying parameters as well as turnaround requirements. It supports all PageWide presses and should help e-commerce sites in particular manage complex and varied workloads more efficiently.

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Over the years, Hunkeler’s eponymous Innovationdays event has become an important platform for the continuous feed digital printing industry to coalesce around, attracting all the major press manufacturers as well as a variety of software developers, and providing a highly focused gathering for this part of the digital printing industry.

Almost 100 partners will also present their latest products in all areas of digital printing and processing in Halls 1 and 2 at the Messe Luzern. These partners include all the major manufacturers of printing and finishing systems, software developers and providers of finishing materials and consumables. As in previous years, many of the exhibitors will use the event to offer a European or global premiere of their latest innovations. A selection of these is listed below.

Exhibitor highlights

Mailroom automation for transactional print and direct mail will be the focus of the Bowe Systec stand, with a particular focus on the Fusion Speed inserting system, which will have its first ever live demonstration in Lucerne. The inserter can process up to 30,000 envelopes per hour and will be demonstrated in conjunction with Bowe’s Boxit system for automatic filling of postal trays. The company will also explain how upstream and downstream stages can be streamlined as part of an end-to-end automation concept.

Canon is playing its cards close to its chest but has promised two product news announcements at the event which ‘build on Canon’s expertise in inkjet’. Topics to be discussed also include the company’s strategy and how technology and business innovation can be harnessed together help ‘future-proof’ PSPs’ operations; the focus will be on publishing, promotion and business communications.

Another premiere at Innovationdays will be on HP’s stand, where the recently-launched PageWide Advantage 2200 digital web press will make it first European appearance. During the four days of the event, HP will be printing different applications such as postcards, leaflets, catalogues and books on a variety of substrates on the 150m/min press. In addition, the US company will showcase automation and services solutions.

Hybrid Software Group will feature its technologies for industrial print manufacturing processes which use inkjet and other printing techniques, showcasing all its brands covering the full stack of core technologies needed for inkjet. These include colour management, high-speed Digital Front Ends and Rips, pre-press software for labels and packaging and printhead drive electronics. All the group brands will be represented: ColorLogic; Global Graphics Software; Hybrid Software; iC3D; Meteor Inkjet and Xitron.

Converting and high quality embellishment will be the theme of the Kama stand, which will feature the Servo generation of the ProCut 76 Foil. The machine suits a range of applications from die-cutting, creasing and perforating to embellishment with hot foil, hologram and relief for commercial jobs and folding cartons. It will be shown with the AutoRegister AR3, which uses two cameras to bring each sheet into position at full speed.

Kern will present the new Kern 3200 Flash, a modular multi-format inserting system designed for flexible and complex inserting jobs in the medium- to high-output range. Different configuration options make it suitable for use in transactional and direct mail. A newly-developed inserting module is said to be the only system in this performance class that can be equipped with more than one envelope magazine, allowing the system to process different envelopes job by job, without the operator having to make a physical change. The 3200 Flash can be combined with a choice of modules, including roll and single sheet feeding. It is also possible to integrate up to 16 inserting stations.

Kodak’s Prosper Ultra 520 will get its first European showing

Another European first will be the Prosper Ultra 520 web press from Kodak. To be shown with a Hunkeler unwinder and rewinder, along with the Hunkeler WI8 web inspection system, the press will print live three versions of a ‘magalog’ (blend of magazine and catalogue) with different editorial and marketing content. The application will demonstrate the Ultra 520’s ability to print heavy ink coverage on standard offset paper at 150m/min. Other finished samples from the Ultra 520 and from the Prosper 7000 Turbo press, which runs at up to 410m/min, will also be presented, along with Kodak’s Prinergy On Demand workflow software.

Kyocera will feature its TaskAlfa Pro 15000C sheet-fed inkjet press, with a focus on its sustainability credentials, productivity, output quality and media flexibility. One-to-one demonstrations are being offered. More information may also be available about the graphic-arts focused version that is understood to be in development.

Another world first in Lucerne is the arrival of the Prinova Digital Saddle stitcher from Müller Martini. The highly automated 9000 cycles per hour unit supports both digital and hybrid print production and brings Müller’s Smart Factory concept to magazines, brochures and catalogues. Developments to the Vareo Pro perfect binding line will also be shown, including a mixed mode that allows softcover books and hardcover book blocks to be produced in the same run, complemented by a new de-stacker and sorting for subsequent InfiniTrim cutting. A variety of live jobs, including all-digital and hybrid printed products, will be featured, along with the supporting Connex workflow.

Workflow developer OneVision will explain how its software allows for ‘a complete integration of company processes’ by being configured to suit existing systems. The modular middleware can automate the production process from file input through printing and embellishment and finishing, while connecting to existing print and finishing hardware and software such as MIS or ERP.

Ricoh will be making the first public showing of its Pro VC70000e inkjet press that includes a number of hardware and software features and updates which collectively increase ease of use through automation, while providing greater media and applications flexibility via pre-coating. This will be complemented by the introduction of TotalFlow Producer, which the company describes as a ‘vendor agnostic automated job onboarding solution’. The new workflow software designed to automate job intake and consolidation from multiple sources, to run automatic pre-flighting and to support personalised job upload and status portals for print clients.

Riso will feature its newest additions to the SRA3 Valezus sheet-fed inkjet line, which are targeted at production print job demands that are difficult to handle efficiently on continuous-feed presses. The twin-engined Valezus T2200 is capable of duplex printing at 330ppm. The single-engine Valezus T1200 is aimed at both short and long-run full-colour transactional printing at 165ppm. Both are equipped with feeder/stacker units for a maximum capacity of 8000 sheets on the T2200, and half that on the T2100. Both models support uncoated papers only, from 46 to 210gsm.

The Smart High Definition technology from Scodix will appear in the premiere of the Ultra 6000 embellishment press

Also making a first European appearance will be the Ultra 6000 digital embellishment press from Scodix with SHD (smart high definition) capability. It will be used to demonstrate embellishment of B1 and B2 sheets for a variety of book covers, from paperbacks to high-end jackets and Scodix says it embodies the economics and productivity to replace analogue embellishment technology whilst offering publishers greater flexibility. Examples of the SHD technology will also be shown.

Staff from Solimar Systems will demonstrate how its workflow-enhancing post-composition solutions support production printing on both cut-sheet and continuous feed devices, finishing, mailing, e-delivery and document archiving. The company is partnering with HP to show how direct mailers can save significant sums and with Screen to demonstrate dashboard tracking of incoming work and device-level ink and media consumption reporting via Screen’s Equios workflow.

W+D will use the event to launch its new BB820+, a new flagship inserter which the company says allows for the widest range of direct mail sizes, from C6 envelopes up to B4 flat packages up to 15mm thick, and which can insert at up to 20,000 piece per hour, 25% faster than the model it replaces. The new machine comes with a new rotary feeder for consistent feeding at the higher speeds and an additional servo axis for flexible and size-dependent motion control of collating track, envelope gripper transport andinsert finger.

Short-run book printing using the Sirius dry toner technology will form a major part of the Xeikon exhibit, centred on the roll-fed duplex Xeikon SX30000 press, which is also getting its first public European showing. Three high-end applications will be shown – a coffee-table travel book, a full colour tourist guide and a highly illustrated book on architecture. The SX30000 roll-fed press will be running in line with a Hunkeler Gen8 roll-to-stack solution, producing book blocks which to be bound on an offline Muller Martini Vareo Pro with InfiniTrim.

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Founded in 2005, RNB works with hundreds of organisations across a number of industry sectors to deliver a wide range of specialist services such as print, direct mail, ecommerce, operational mail and data solutions.

After speaking with Friedheim International, RNB settled on a triple purchase from the print finishing equipment specialist: a Hunkeler Unwinder UW6, Spedo 8500 E Stacker with tray (second user) and Spedo 2600 Pinless Cutter 2600.

The three machines have been in place for months now, with the company’s project and account manager Dave Martin claiming the triple purchase has made the finishing process at RNB significantly more flexible, freeing up staff to take on other work.

Mr Martin said, ‘The devices have allowed us the flexibility to produce more with less down time, while they have also helped to streamline our paper-to-envelope time. The investment has also reduced the number of touch points in finishing, freeing up staff in the process.

‘The result of this was an immediate increase in productivity, which is what we expected when placing the order. Simply put, it has allowed more flexibility without breaking down kit.’

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Mr Karch comes to Screen from pre- and post-print equipment manufacturer Hunkeler, where he was sales director for over 15 years . He has a degree in Business Engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and will also be based in the southern German city.

‘I’m excited to join Screen, the leading provider of the technology of the future with its top-notch digital inkjet print solutions,’ said Mr Karch.

‘Digital printing is expanding rapidly across Europe and I’m proud to make Screen’s technology available for printers in the rapidly evolving digital print industry. I know from experience that Screen not only provides excellent technology, but also high reliability and top service.’

Bui Burke, Senior VP Sales, commented, ‘Andreas has vast experience in the print industry. As such, he’s well placed to advise companies on how to enhance their print processes in such a way that they evolve their businesses and increase efficiency to retain and grow profitability.

‘Digital inkjet presses for all types of printing are Screen’s focus with steadily growing demand – and with the Truepress Jet 520NX as our best-in-class innovative technology, we’re confident Andreas will be able to expand our digital inkjet printing into the transactional printing market in a way that will benefit us and our customers.’

Screen has also launched the SC+ Chroma Package for the Truepress Jet 520HD series. This includes upgraded press hardware and software, and SC+ ink, an enhanced version of the series’ current SC ink, which brings a wider colour gamut. The Chroma Package will be available for new presses as well part of an upgrade solution for existing Truepress Jet 520HD owners.

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