EFI has signed an agreement to acquire Jetrion, a subsidiary of Flint Group, for approximately $40M. The major supplier of digital controllers, superwide format inkjet printers and inks, and print management solutions expects the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Said Guy Gecht, EFI ceo: “We are especially impressed with Jetrion’s packaging and label printing expertise, and we see this as an emerging market opportunity for digital printing given the increasing demand for short-runs, variable content and fast turnaround in these segments. In addition, the Jetrion and VUTEk development capabilities complement each other quite nicely. Jetrion’s advanced technology and very talented team are great additions to our inkjet business and a key element in fulfilling our strategy to expand our presence in the industrial inkjet market. Combining EFI’s leadership in precision colour and intelligent, high speed RIP technology with the market leading innovation of the VUTEk and Jetrion product lines will give us multiple opportunities to share expertise.”
"We are excited to join the EFI team and be able to leverage their global reputation, vast industry relationships and financial strength to gain greater market reach and provide our valued customers with an even higher quality of service,” said Dr Kenneth Stack, president of Jetrion.
At Labelexpo recently Jetrion delivered on its Ipex promise to launch a four colour machine. The 4000 Series has been developed for short- and medium-length narrow web production runs, as well as variable data imaging. Said Stack: “The UV digital inkjet colour technology holds tremendous promise with its grayscale quality of print making it a perfect fit for secondary labels and industrial labels, a sub-segment that makes up over 50 per cent of the market. “ The press features Xaar heads.
Speeds are up to a claimed 20m/min and 100, 150 and 200mm versions will be available. Available in the first quarter next year prices of the press will be $299,000, $350,000 and $400,000 respectively. Said Ken Stack: “Running costs are approximately half that of other digital presses. This press pushes out the breakeven point for digital up to 40,000 labels. It really is cost effective for short to medium runs.”
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