Sanyo Tile Group elevates its Tile Décor Quality with new Durst Gamma 108XD 4.0 technology
Erweitertes Traineeprogramm mit berufsbegleitendem Studium Mechatronik für technische Berufs- und Oberschulabsolventen
The pioneering new Gamma XD technology from Durst, as been used to open up new market opportunities for Grupo Embramaco
Durst has announced first sales successes for the recently launched P5 Series
Nach der erfolgreichen P5 Einführung in Lienz, mit geladenen Gästen und Pressevertretern aus aller Welt, löst Durst im Rahmen der „Langen Nacht der Forschung 2018“ sein Versprechen ein und öffnet seine Tore für das lokale Publikum
10. - 12. May. 2018Bangkok, ThailandBooth: A18
The company aquired a Rho P10 200 HS model to gain more productivity, maintaining the quality and flexibility levels for substrates use. The equipment was also exhibited at ExpoPrint Latin America, during which it was able to prove its performance
Italgrafica Sistemi announced as world's first customer for OMET XJet powered by Durst
Brixen/Italy - 12.06.2018 - Durst, a manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, is helping Taiwan customer Sanyo Tile Group to enhance its production quality with two Durst Gamma 108XD ceramic printers.
Sanyo recently installed two new Gamma 108 XD 4.0 printers from Durst with its first production of 125 x 600 mm floor tiles with a stunning wood effect and 300 x 600 mm wall tiles with a very delicate marble design. This version of the innovative and flexible 8-color inkjet ceramic printer series with a printing width up to 1000 mm for the decoration of all tile widths up to 90 cm fired, assures high printing quality and reliability with Durst's High Definition print head technology and integrated "Adaptive Dot Placement Technology". The latter guarantees banding-free printing and color consistency across the entire printing width.
Thanks to its completely redesigned ink and print head management technology the new Gamma XD Series assure a total nozzle stability with no banding or missing lines and in case of print head replacement, Durst pre-aligned, low cost print heads allowing them to be replaced quickly and simply by the operator. Maximum productivity is facilitated by a high uptime (> 95%) and an easy-maintenance design, with accessible working parts, and innovative fully retractable belt-cleaning.
Mr. Chen Tsung Chi, Vice President of Sanyo Tile Group, said: “We are impressed by the superior print quality of Gamma XD, in terms of definition and color gradient, which allows us to produce difficult designs. Apart from that, the ink consumption of Gamma XD is less than the other brands in our plant and there was no problem during the eight weeks of operation, contrary to the experience with other printers in the past”.
In addition, Mr. Chen Tsung Chi emphasizes his great satisfaction with Durst's excellent service teamwork he experienced with the installation of their first 2 Durst printers, highly appreciated by Sanyo.
Norbert von Aufschnaiter, Durst Group’s Segment Manager, Ceramics Division, adds: “Sanyo has been able to see a very visible improvement in the print quality on a range of different substrates. Our Gamma XD is delivering better definition and color gradient. Sanyo is also enjoying improved ink consumption and smooth continuous production. It is a real testament to the performance capability of the technology, which is being used by a growing number of customers across the world. We are delighted at the progress we are making and expect to make some other significant announcements soon.”
Brixen, Italien - 06.06.2018 - Durst, Hersteller von zukunftsweisenden digitalen Druck- und Produktionstechnologien, erweitert ab Herbst 2018 sein internes Traineeprogramm mit einem berufsbegleitenden Studium am Management Center Innsbruck.
Um für die Zukunft gerüstet zu sein und über genügend qualifizierte Techniker für die Entwicklung und Fertigung der industriellen Drucksysteme zu verfügen, hatte Durst in 2017 ein internes Traineeprogramm für technische Maturanten gestartet. Die Nachwuchskräfte durchlaufen dabei verschiedene Abteilungen und werden in technischen Disziplinen geschult. Nach erfolgreichem Abschluss qualifizieren sich die Teilnehmer für mittlere technische Positionen in Festeinstellung.
Doch für Durst ist es wichtig, seinem Nachwuchs auch Perspektiven aufzuzeigen und ihnen weitere Qualifikationen zu ermöglichen, die im Umkehrschluss auch als Wissenstransfer zurück in das Unternehmen fließen. Aus diesem Grund hat Durst nun eine Kooperation mit der Fachhochschule MCI für den Studiengang Mechatronik geschlossen.
Das Angebot beinhaltet ein berufsbegleitendes Studium mit Schwerpunkt Mechanik oder Elektrotechnik. Die Qualifikation erfolgt nach erfolgreichem Abschluss einer einjährigen Ausbildung und zweijähriger Berufserfahrung bei der Durst. Anschließend übernimmt Durst die Studiengebühren für das MCI und der Studierende investiert einen Teil seiner Freizeit für Präsenztage und Seminare am Wochenende. Während der gesamten Ausbildungszeit stehen Mentoren mit Rat und Tat dem Nachwuchs zur Seite.
Durst hat für das erweiterte Traineeprogramm eine eigene Informationsseite ins Leben gerufen, wo sich Absolventen von technischen Berufs- und Oberschulen ausführlich informieren und sich bewerben können: Trainee Programm. Die Bewerbungsfrist für das Traineeprogramm ab Herbst 2018 läuft noch bis Ende Juni.
"Ich habe selten einen derart innovativen Zugang zum Thema Recruiting und Personal-Entwicklung gesehen", sagt Dr. Andreas Mehrle, Leiter Mechatronik-Department MCI. "Ich denke da könnten sich viele Unternehmen ein Beispiel an der Durst nehmen."
"Wir freuen uns mit der MCI die richtige Lehranstalt für unseren Nachwuchs gefunden zu haben", sagt Christoph Gamper, CEO der Durst Group. "Wir sehen ein immenses Potenzial bei unseren Trainees und das ist genau das was wir fördern möchten, um nicht nur neue Mitarbeiter zu gewinnen, sondern Menschen, die sich und uns weiterentwickeln."
Trainee Programm
Brixen/Italy - 31.05.2018 - Durst, an inkjet pioneer and manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, unveiled the latest technology developments in large format print, service and software at the successful Durst Tech Days (May 18-19).
Over two days at the Durst headquarters in Brixen, South Tyrol, Italy, and its other manufacturing site in Lienz, East Tyrol, Austria, guests were told that sales of its new award-winning technology, the P5 platform, are building so fast that delivery times are now up to 10 weeks. Hot on the heels of winning the European Digital Press Association (EDP) Award for P5, which was presented to Durst CEO Christoph Gamper during FESPA, Durst reported first results from the successful P5 field-test at Panorama in Spain. Panorama printed around 24,000 sqm in the first month alone and everything is progressing well.
For the Durst Tech Days at Brixen the focus was on roll-to-roll printing systems, software and preventive maintenance concepts; at Lienz there were demonstrations of Durst P5 and Durst Water Technology for flatbed printing on the agenda. Tailored presentations were held over the two days.
Unveiled for the first time were:
In another step forward, first plans have been unveiled whereby print service providers can benefit from Durst's world-class technology without making a large initial capital outlay. The idea involves Durst investing in print businesses through a rent-first concept for up to four years. Those who qualify for the scheme will be offered a top-maintained pre-owned machine through a "full service contract".
Christoph Gamper, Durst CEO, said: "The Durst Tech Days were created to give our customers an exclusive preview to our latest technologies and thinking. Designed to address every day production needs and meet ever-changing market demands, the innovations promote efficient, cost effective and optimum operation."
Barbara Schulz, Executive Vice President Global Sales, added: "New developments, to be effective, need to be put in context. Customers want to understand how they will work in their own production environment to maximize their investment. Durst Tech Days were created to allow them successfully to do just that."
For more information, visit the Durst Tech Days Review page: https://www.durst-group.com/TechDays
Brixen/Italy - 18.05.2018 - Durst, a manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, has been awarded the prestigious European Digital Press Association (EDP) Award for "Best flatbed/hybrid printer > 250m/h".
The award was given for the new P5 platform with the new Durst P5 250 HS printing system, which was presented at the end of January at the Durst premises in Lienz, and attracted so much attention that even Austria 's Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was informed about the innovation during a visit.
For Durst, the circle is now completed including introduction, field test, first installations and positive market response, as the EDP jury consists of 21 member magazines from all over Europe. The EDP Awards were presented at FESPA in Berlin.
"We are delighted with the EDP award because it proves that Durst P5 is a true innovation and the new benchmark in large format printing," said Christoph Gamper, CEO of Durst Group. "We are already working intensively to expand the P5 portfolio and we are pleased to introduce them at the SGIA show in Las Vegas in October."
For more information, visit the Durst P5 product page on https://p5.durst-group.com
Brixen, Italy - 12/04/2018 - The pioneering new Gamma XD technology from Durst, a manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, has been used to open up new market opportunities for Grupo Embramaco that showcased new ceramic tile product lines at Expo Revistir 2018.
The Brazilian ceramic tile specialist, which has been delivering innovative ceramic tile proposals to customers for more than 40 years, printed all of its porcelain tiles shown at the fair - regarded as the "Fashion Week" of architecture and construction - on the new Durst Gamma 108XD 4.0 Series printers.
Grupo Embramaco has attracted "many new customers" with the Durst technology that prints value-added high-end products involving unique and innovative designs and finishing. Outstanding performance and low maintenance costs are crucial to its success.
Marcelo Paraluppi Rodrigues, Director Superintendent of Embramaco, said: "I am very satisfied with the Gamma 108XD 4.0 printer and if today I would have to buy a new printer I would purchase Durst again". It has enabled us to add several new ceramic tile product lines. It also helped us create impressive and innovative tile designs that has attracted a lot of customer interest. They particularly like the unique and innovative designs and finishes that combine outstanding print quality and a natural look in terms of detail, color gradations, color strength, uniformity and contrast."
He adds: "The consistent reliability and high uptime of the Gamma 108XD 4.0 assures constant high volume production with outstanding results."
Durst's 8-color Gamma XD Series next-generation digital ceramic décor printer has been designed for easy and fast maintenance and service. It boasts unrivalled print quality with no banding or lines, low grain visibility, excellent uptime and reliability, low maintenance and service costs. Other benefits include long printhead duty cycles with no purge or ink waste and a dry belt-cleaning system. Color consistency is supported by industry leading Gamma printer design and image data handling.
Norbert von Aufschnaiter, Durst Group's Segment Manager, Ceramics Division, said: "Grupo Embramaco is a shining example of how ceramic tile manufacturer are changing their thinking and raising their expectations in ceramics in partnership with Durst. Our Gamma 108XD 4.0 Printer is widely recognized by customers as the best performing digital ceramic décor printers thanks to its unmatched print quality with no banding or lines. At Revistir, 100% of all porcelain tiles on the Embramaco and Castelli booths were printed with the new Gamma 108XD 4.0 Series.
"This next-generation printer has re-invented ceramic tile decoration by enabling new possibilities for unique and creative tile design and ultimate production efficiency thanks to its high quality inkjet technology and unique print engine. It is reliable and its uptime is maximized with affordable maintenance and service cost ensure a very competitive low total cost of ownership."
Castelli
Durst Gamma 108 XD 40
Brixen/Italy - 17.04.2018 - Durst, a manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, has announced first sales successes for the recently launched P5 Series. Dutch print and fulfilment provider Probo is investing in four Durst P5 printing systems.
The installations at the production site in Dokkum will take place over the next few weeks and Probo will be presenting its portfolio expansion to its customers at an open house event on June 15.
Erwin Postma, owner of the Europe-wide operating company with more than 200 employees, was already impressed by the performance of the new P5 platform at the P5 launch in Lienz. The combination of high productivity, print quality, workflow efficiency and reduced maintenance was the deciding factor for the investment in the systems that will also provide the necessary uptime to ensure the essential fast response times for Probo.
As a first step, the new P5 printing systems will be used for the production of boards and panels, and integrated with appropriate finishing systems to build four equivalent, automated production lines. So far, the products have been realized on different printing systems, which moving forward will function as a back-up.
Probo serves local markets as well as Belgium and Germany. Confident in the huge steps it has made and the future opportunities, more than 90% of its print firepower comes through Durst.
"We are always looking for new opportunities and solutions to new or demanded print possibilities. We do not only launch products, but disrupt traditional markets. Durst has been an important partner in helping us to achieve our aims - and we're confident the P5 will be a game-changer for our business as we continue to expand. The possibilities will be endless."
Christoph Gamper, CEO of the Durst Group, said: "Probo is a key customer for Durst, more than that, a partner and feedback channel for our developments. Probo is known in many fields as an innovator and first-mover, and you can be sure that if Probo invests, the new P5 platform will actually deliver what it promises. We are pleased about the successful market launch and the high demand and will certainly announce further successes and the expansion of the P5 portfolio by the end of the year."
Christoph Gamper and Erwin Postma
Durst P5 - The Master Class
Durst P5 introduces a paradigm shift in large format printing towards high volume industrial production, as well as one-offs in offset quality. P5 relates to five core features at the heart of this technology: productivity, reliability, workflow, versatility and print quality.
The P5 technology consists of a series of new generation printers along with newly, in-house developed software and workflow solutions. The family also has state of the art, touch operation based user-interfaces and leading-edge remote service capabilities. Everything is aimed and streamlined to maximize performance and uptime of the printing family, along with unparalleled flexibility in media and job handling.
Durst's iconic industrial design, which was originally developed by the famous Ottl Eicher, has gone a further step with the P5. A design studio from Munich canvassed opinions from many customers andoperators with a view to integrating their wishes into a new concept. This has been achieved for the P5 -and feedback will be incorporated into many Durst product lines in the future.
When compared to the industry benchmark - Durst P10 250 HS - the new P5 is 70% more productive. Featuring latest MEMS nozzle plates powered by Durst proprietary data-path and electronics, the result is a high-speed printing system with ultra precise drop placement and industrial level reliability.
Durst P5 technology features:
For more information, visit the Durst P5 product page:
P5 product page
For information about the Probo Open House Event, visit:
Probo Open House
Durst presents as part of a TechDays 2018 in May further developments in the large format printing portfolio including further information on the Durst P5:
Durst Tech Days
Lienz, Österreich - 11.04.2018 - Durst, Hersteller von zukunftsweisenden digitalen Druck- und Produktionstechnologien, beteiligt sich am Standort Lienz an Österreichs größtem Forschungs-Event, der „Langen Nacht der Forschung 2018“ (LNF18), am 13. April. Mit der Teilnahme löst Durst sein Versprechen ein, seine Innovationen auch dem lokalen Publikum vorzustellen. Hintergrund ist die Durst P5 Technologieeinführung Ende Januar, die für so viel Interesse sorgte, dass selbst Bundeskanzler Sebastian Kurz auf einer Stippvisite bei dem Hightech-Unternehmen in Tirol vorbeischaute. Als weltweit führender Hersteller von industriellen Drucksystemen, gewährt Durst bei der LNF 18 Einblicke in sein Innovationscenter und das neugestaltete Demo-Center und zeigt dabei die verschiedenen Entwicklungs- und Fertigungsschritte einer Druckmaschine bis hin zur Formulierung von Tintensystemen. Ein „Muss“ für alle Technik-Fans und die Gelegenheit, sich über das neue Erfolgsmodell P5 und andere Technologien ausführlich zu informieren. Die Führungen am 13.04. finden um 16:45, 18:30 und 20:15 Uhr statt und die Teilnehmerzahl ist auf 360 Personen begrenzt. Für Familien mit Kindern stellt Durst einen Kindergarten bereit und für das leibliche Wohl ist auch gesorgt.
Treffpunkt für alle registrierten Teilnehmer ist der ehemalige Haupteingang in der Julius-Durst-Str. 11, entsprechende Beschilderungen weisen den Gästen den Weg zum Treffpunkt. Für eine Registrierung wenden Sie sich bitte an Frau Lisa-Maria Lukasser unter der Telefonnummer: +43 (0) 4852 71777 411 oder per E-Mail an: LNF@durst-group.com.
„Wir freuen uns auf viele interessierte Besucher und das Durst Team hat sich ins Zeug gelegt, ihnen spannende Programminhalte zu präsentieren“, sagt Barbara Schulz, Geschäftsführerin der Durst Niederlassung in Lienz. „Nach der starken Nachfrage bei der LNF 16, mussten wir in diesem Jahr das Kontingent limitieren, um auf die Teilnehmer besser eingehen zu können. Wir bitten um Verständnis, dass wir nicht alle Besucheranfragen an diesem Tag bedienen können.“
Brixen, Italy - 06.04.2018 - Ceramic Industries Ltd, South Africa's largest tile producer, with five production plants - Pegasus, Gryphon, Vitro, Samca Wall, Samca Floor - and an annual output of over 55 million sqm/year, has recently installed the new-generation Durst Gamma 108 XD 4.0 printer with great initial results, after a very positive experience with several Durst Gamma 75 HD printers.
Ceramic Industries Ltd, which is known for high-volume production with very fast production lines, is successfully operating the new Gamma 108 XD 4.0 with a line speed of 57 m/min. resulting in daily, high production output of approximately 16,000 sqm, even with small tile sizes.
Reliability and uptime 24/7 of the new Durst Gamma XD Series, combined with image quality and low maintenance costs, were the main reasons the choice of the new Gamma 108 XD 4.0 Printer from Durst, says Lance Foxcroft, CEO of Ceramic Industries Limited in order to achieve our production targets.
Durst's new XD Series next-generation digital ceramic décor printer has been designed for easy and fast maintenance and service. It boasts unrivalled print quality with no banding or lines, low grain visibility, excellent uptime and reliability, low maintenance and service costs. Other benefits include long print head duty cycles with no purge or ink waste and a dry belt-cleaning system.
São Paulo -Those who visited the Durst Brasil stand at ExpoPrint Latin America 2018 (from March 20 to 24 at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo) were able to closely check the productivity and quality of Rho P10 200 HS, a model that brings together the industrial performance of the Durst brand with new levels of speed that allow companies in the visual communication segment to reach new levels of production, meeting a greater demand for high quality work and definition of images and strokes.
The great highlight was also the fact that the Rho P10 200 HS model shown at ExpoPrint already has a certain destination: Chromajet, a company that has been operating for more than 20 years in the segment of products for points of sale and visual communication headquartered in São Paulo. This is the third Durst equipment installed in the company, which recently moved to a new headquarters with 1500 m2.
According to Eduardo Gomes, owner of Chromajet, the new equipment arrives to add productivity. "We invested in a third machine, particularly in the Rho P10 200 HS, because we needed to increase our productivity while maintaining the quality and the technology standard," he explains. "Whoever visited ExpoPrint and Durst's stand was able to see the quality of the printing that Chromajet delivers to the market."
The first model to reach the company in 2012 was the Rho P10 160, an entry-level equipment that marked an important step of Chromajet towards the digitization of its production processes. In a short time, a new model was acquired: this time, a Rho P10 200.
Eduardo justifies the investments made at the time. "Initially, we invested in digital technology as a way to diversify our production park," he explained. "In a way, we were against the market trend; we did not complete the migration, but we opted for digital technology to gain productivity."
According to him, the choice for the Durst brand came about by very close sales and after-sales assistance. "We researched Durst's technology and knew it was an excellent piece of equipment. However, we had no digital experience before we made our first investment, and Durst's closeness to us in that process, helping us and providing support, was paramount. Having a team in Brazil and providing a local technical support structure is very important and was also decisive for choosing Durst as our partner", he said.
Today, with the consolidated partnership between Durst and Chromajet, Eduardo reaffirms his vision of the company's technology and business model.
"The main challenge for companies working in the Chromajet segment is maintaining image quality and being able to work consistently on different substrates, since each client requires a type of media. We found the solution for this performance in Durst technology," explains Eduardo. "Quality, speed and consistency are the major differentiators of the Durst solution. Since we bought the first machine, the sales and technical support caught my attention. The services and the assistance have always been very agile, and we were assisted in everything we need."
Aimed at visual communication applications, both for production on conventional flexible media and rigid media, the Rho P10 200 HS model offers significant speed optimization compared to previous family models, delivering about 40% higher performance with reduced ink consumption (by about 15%).
It can work with configurations for rigid or flexible media (roll), has a standard resolution of 1000 dpi, and a speed of 350 m2 / hour. The Rho P10 200 HS comes equipped with CMYK color standard, but with optional support to add light cyan, light magenta, orange, violet and white colors.
Learn more about the Chromajet success story with the brand on the Durst Brazil Youtube channel.
Label
Another highlight of Durst at ExpoPrint was the Tau 330E, an entry-level equipment for the industrial printing of stickers and labels.
It incorporates pigmented ink technology and offers high productivity at a very competitive cost for the stickers and labels production. The presented configuration allows the user to work with up to five colors (CMYK + white) and speed up to 48 linear meters / minute and up to 1260 x 720 dpi resolution. Other models of the Tau 330 can be configured in up to 8 colors (CMYK + OVG + W) and up to 78 linear meters per minute, as well as being able to integrate the printer with the OMET Flex X6 finishing solution, allowing the user to obtain a production flow and finish totally customizable to each particularity of the clients demand.
According to Ricardo Pi, General Director of Durst Brazil, the event brought to the company great opportunities and business as well as ratification of the Durst brand as a provider of robust solutions capable of meeting the most challenging demands of graphics, customers and brand owners.
"In a market where quality has become indisputable, the need is then to differentiate through the balance between productivity, quality and reliability," explains Ricardo Pi. "At ExpoPrint, Durst presented two solutions for segments that are very important for our commercial strategy: visual and label communication. I believe that those who visited our stand certainly checked the quality and performance of our equipment."
Christoph Gamper, CEO at Durst
Durst is a name that has become synonymous with digital printing excellence and successful evolution. Ahead of Durst’s participation in Pure Digital 2018, we talked to Christoph Gamper, CEO of the company. We discussed innovation, leadership, and evolution. I have noticed a change in the company from afar, so it was interesting to get the inside track on how things have changed under his leadership and how this has translated into performance.
Christoph, I recall us meeting around 8 years ago when I was about to leave FESPA. A lot has changed for both of us since then, now you are running Durst as CEO, how have you changed things within the company?
Durst has been in business for 80 years and has evolved and changed. We began in high-end imaging reproduction, basically a technology company for professional photography. Then around 20 years ago we went digital with the Lambda and then 15 years ago we went into inkjet.
When I entered the company we were producing large format machines and the company had an absolute focus on image reproduction. Personally, whilst image reproduction, of course, is important, I didn’t think we were focused enough on the processes. Of course, technology is important but as a company, and to an extent an industry we always talk technology – with business coming in second. My mission is to change this and to bring a renewed business focus into Durst.
So how have things gone since the start? Changing a culture is a challenging thing to do, what results have you achieved?
We are not a public company, we are still a family company and therefore we don’t report about results at every given opportunity. This may mean that from the outside we may seem a little bit of a closed company. However, our focus is to work very closely with our customers. We spend a long time with our customers and talk business with them and that is what we are trying to do to help them to develop their business. This is our style.
So we don’t tend to broadcast results because we don’t need to. But we do love profit, and we have double-digit growth which is profitable growth, not just revenue. The essence of Durst is not what we are shouting out to the press, it is about doing a great job for our customers.
And I am pleased to say that we have done very well over the past few years. We have doubled the size of the company and added 8 subsidiaries, developed a lot of new technology and a breadth of new talent has joined us. There are more things to come and more things to test which we will communicate in the future, but we are in a great position to grow again.
How have you achieved this growth?
Positive change comes with committed leadership I believe. And when you have such capability available within an organisation, in the right place with the right focus you can achieve a tremendous amount. We now have a culture where we always ask ourselves, what can we do differently and what can we do better? This growing culture is producing some great results.
What do you think Durst people would say about your leadership?
All of them would say I come with a different approach of course! I have challenged the way that Durst has done things in the past. As a result, we have changed the company and we now constantly want to challenge what we do every day. So far we have doubled our size which is great, but we still have a lot to do, and a lot to achieve.
Recently, I noticed that the launch of the P5 – this approach seemed different for how Durst launches products into the market?
The launch of the P5 is a good recent example of how we now develop our products. But please remember that I am not playing alone. All my best people were involved in this launch. My communication director whom I worked with in the past for 15 years has joined Durst for this launch. And the development and launch of the P5 is the first time we approach our development in a new way. This time we don’t just focus on the technology. We started first with the customers, moved onto the software, then onto the printer last. We challenged our innovation process and didn’t start with the machine first, we started with the customer first, and as a result the response from our customers has been phenomenal.
This sounds very collaborative, please explain more about this approach
What we are trying to achieve is to clearly see what the customer needs first. We spend time getting together and discussing the need and problems with the customer. And we discovered that clearly, image quality is not the only thing. We asked ourselves questions of priority, such as do we really need to improve quality by a tiny percentage? By asking this question we found new problems that we have solved with this machine.
For example, can we differentiate a large format printing machine? The graphics market is a competitive and now mature market for digital printing. We were able to spend time in finding where our critical mass is and with this, we present a different platform. P5 is an example of how we want to go beyond just the print and the printer onto new technologies and ideas that enhance existing methods and enable new possibilities using clever technology that creates new potential.
Durst is participating in Pure Digital, instead of FESPA, what is the thinking behind this decision?
We know our customer community within the large format graphics market very well. At any major graphics show we mainly (90%) see people we already know. I am a believer that we need to meet people outside of our immediate customer base to understand what our ‘customers-customers’ want. The creative people are now the people we need to know and understand. We need to see the pain at the top to understand what kind of pain we can remove to add more value and improve our products. Once you can see the pain in the process – once you see the pain the designer is in – then you can think you can design processes that will streamline and improve their production. You can’t start at the end of the process and hope your technology will work – this way is like working blind. We still will be at major tradeshows as well – but more and more we tend to speak to our customers directly – on our own turf.
A couple of famous ‘corporate print brands’ also liked the vision for Pure Digital - but when it came to making a decision they were risk averse and decided not to participate. This wasn’t the case for you, why?
To be honest, I make decisions from my gut. I want to see it. I want to see how people react – I know we do a lot of really interesting and innovative stuff so I am confident about trying new things. If we get one great new idea or one great new contact, for me it will give me something new that I just don’t get from always going to the same old shows, by doing the same old things.
I believe in trying new things. If you do the same old things then nothing changes and you stop growing.
So you mention creative professionals being important to Durst, please give me an example.
For example, we are building a new HQ, and we have really good architects. But even they don’t know the possibilities that digital print can give them on different surfaces. We have shown them what is possible and it is nice to see the reaction from them. But these people just don’t go too technical shows where machinery is on display. Why would they? If we showcase this at Drupa, a designer will not attend as it is not for them. Drupa is a show for printers, not designers.
Of course, up to a couple of years ago, Durst was only about output and this is still an important thing. However, in the future input is also very interesting and in order for us to define the space, I need to connect with the creative side which is why Pure Digital is of interest to us.
From an industrial perspective Durst has inkjet-based technology in industrial markets - does this remain a key part of the business?
Of course yes. One of our big industrial markets is ceramics and we consider this a very important market for us. We have 22 operations globally and will be bringing out a new technology at the Tecnargilla trade-fair in Rimini. This new technology offers high-end ceramic production.
The new system gives you a 3D structure on top of the tile – this is an area where we really love and enables amazing creative possibilities and quality finishes.
Also, at the last Drupa, we launched our single pass corrugated machine and this is proving very popular and it is fully industrial and making great progress. We also have our label machines which are now number 1 and 2 in the industry so we are happy with that.
What about textiles, this seems a very sought after and hyped market, what is your view of how inkjet is working in this sector?
We have products in the textile market, and we lead the high-end soft signage market with our Rhotex printing systems – and we are successful with the Alpha product line - but I have to say that in my opinion digital inkjet for “real” textile e.g. apparel is overhyped by the expectation of some investors and consultants. A lot of mills and printers are using digital as they have used analogue since years and years – it`s all about price, but not really about the possibilities the technology could offer. Sure, there are exceptions – as in all industries, but I think a lot of people are dreaming up and industry that doesn`t take on the value of a digital production.
We see a big future for digital for interior décor, do you see an opportunity for this sector that is not textile?
Yes, we do see a great opportunity for interior décor but not so much apparel and clothing. We see opportunities in flooring, with high-end laminate, LVT and interior décor. Why? Well, for example, 15 years ago, every McDonald’s menu was printed with a lambda and now this is digital signage and the rest of the store is made with inkjet print including the walls and the surfaces. The world is going this way in retail, hospitality and leisure. So I think digital print has a growing role to play here.
So you will be developing more imaging technology for this kind of market?
We are a solutions provider for imaging. Not just an imaging print technology business. Yes, it does include inkjet around digitalisation for industrial and high end, but now and in the future, this could be input or output. Durst does not need or want 90% of the mainstream market. We want the best and the top of the top. So our focus is here, our competence is here and we think that is a good place to be.
Interview On Puredigitalshow.com
Brixen, Italy – 15/03/2018 Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital production technologies, has confirmed that Italgrafica Sistemi, of Italy, will be the world's customer for the new OMET XJet. Powered by Durst, the integrated hybrid solution for a wide range of high-performance labels and packaging printing will be installed at its headquarters in Castelgomberto, in the province of Vicenza, in the early summer.
Together with OMET, manufacturer of printing and converting machines, the two companies are providing a complete hybrid print and finishing line to Italgrafica Sistemi that will offer an unlimited flexibility and a wide range of final applications with a consistent cost reduction. It chose the OMET XJet because of the ability for in-line multi-process configurations that finalizes products in a single pass.
Italgrafica Sistemi is an €11m-turnover company with 50 employees who work two shifts. With 18 printing lines already running at Italgrafica Sistemi, the new OMET XJet is expected to replace two of the flexo lines as demands continue to increase for short-run, personalised technology in a single pass. It will open up new opportunities for cold foiling, printing on reverse and adhesives, as well as varnish and diecutting.
Francesco Niorettini, General Manager of converter Italgrafica Sistemi, said the total cost of ownership and benefits to his customers were crucial in the decision-making. "This investment opens up a new world of opportunity," he said. "It allows us to give far more choice to the market and produce so many more different types of labels for any kind of job. By including the Durst Tau, we will be able to broaden our portfolio by combining all the technologies together.
"What is also really important is to ensure that we retain the same high level and definitions produced with flexo and offset - and the Durst / OMET hybrid will enable this. Other factors in our investment decision included the 50 percent increase in speed, the low service and consumable costs, as well as the fact that both Durst and OMET have good reputations in the marketplace."
Mr Niorettini added: "We'll be saving huge amounts of money and time. We expect a 20% saving in overall production costs and will benefit from faster start-up times, which will enable us to offer a wider product range. As one example for, say, a four-colour job we expect to increase the productivity of the machine by 40 percent with faster set-ups. In addition, we will be saving around 70 percent in material waste by using digital."
Helmuth Munter, Segment Manager Labels & Package Printing at Durst, said: "Italgrafica Sistemi is one of the increasing numbers of forward-thinking companies that are seeing the huge benefits of using the best technologies in a complete 'all-in-one' printing process. This ability to combine digital inkjet printing with conventional pre- and post press printing and finishing world, offers our future customers a highly cost effective solution.
"In addition, the feedback we received from our recent Durst Digital Days has also convinced us of how customers perceive future market opportunities to increasingly involve UV inkjet digital in flexible configurations or as a complementary technology. It's the future."
The jewel in the crown of the Durst and OMET partnership, the new OMET XJet, is the new hybrid printing platform integrating Durst's Tau RSC 330 digital inkjet system with OMET X6 flexo stations and converting units. Durst inkjet technology together with OMET X6's finishing and converting units assure reliability and excellent results at every run, with the advantage of obtaining the final product in one single passage.
The OMET XJet hybrid broadens the opportunities for label printers thanks to its flexible configuration. Italgrafica Sistemi's configuration provided through distribution partner LIRMAprint will feature an unwinder, two flexo units, the Tau 330 RCS, another two flexo units, a diecutting mono twin system, and a rewinder. The Vision automatic registration system is also included and the system has an option to print on adhesive, laminate and other applications to create coupons and special labels, including peel-back versions. It can be seen as three presses in one or used as a hybrid solution, flexo stand-alone or digital stand-alone according to the length of the run or the level of personalization required.
Helmuth Munter and Francesco Niorettini
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