Edale is taking over sales and support for the FFEI Graphium, the hybrid label press that has been a joint development between the two companies.
The Graphium uses FFEI’s inkjet expertise, based on Xaar’s 1002 printheads with Edale’s materials transport expertise and flexo printing background, to offer a best of both world’s answer to declining print runs yet using the opacity that flexo inks can deliver with their cost effectiveness where variable data is not needed.
The press uses inks developed by Fujifilm, which has been the original UK distributor, along with other Fujifilm channels around the world. However, Fujifilm’s expertise lies in the commercial print and publishing print sector, and it recognised it lacked presence in the labels sector. In contrast Edale is steeped in the sector.
“We originally developed Graphium for Fujifilm in North America,” says FFEI managing director Andy Cook. “So when it came to Europe Fuji asked to distribute across the continent. In the home market, however, it is Edale that has the relationship with converters. Consequently in the UK Edale will be taking the lead in selling and promoting Graphium.”
The companies will be taking a joint stand at Labelexpo, larger than originally anticipated, and will host Fujifilm people as well. The Graphium will be shown alongside conventional Edale presses. It will be a press with a full range of finishing and value added units. After the show, Edale plans to install a Graphium at its showroom in Whitely, near Portsmouth.
The Hampshire company is ramping up in preparation for the show in Brussels at the end of next month. “We already have interest,” says a spokesperson. “We are creating new brochures and sample packs in preparation for the rebranding. The hybrid approach of Graphium is an exciting opportunity for out customers who want to be in digital but are not ready to make a digital-only jump.”
Lee Deyes has joined Edale from Fujifilm as technical sales specialist for the hybrid press along with two other recruits.
However, the switch in responsibility for the label press does not signify a retreat from the packaging market. Fujifilm is expanding its offering to flatsheet printing, signing to market Tilia Labs Phoenix software in the UK following earlier deals to sell the software through Fujifilm in North America and Japan.
The Canadian software was developed by a team that had worked on workflow at Fujifilm in Japan, so the integration with XMF is seamless. The key elements to Phoenix cover the imposition functionality which nests complex shapes and marries this with die making and alignment. It will strengthen Fujifilm’s hand in developing packaging workflows.
John Davies, Fujifilm UK’s business strategy and marketing manager, says: “We are committed to continuously enhancing our suite of print production solutions for packaging applications and the combination of the advanced functionalities within XMF and the imposition and planning capabilities within Phoenix is another strong step in this direction.”
The Graphium uses FFEI’s inkjet expertise, based on Xaar’s 1002 printheads with Edale’s materials transport expertise and flexo printing background, to offer a best of both world’s answer to declining print runs yet using the opacity that flexo inks can deliver with their cost effectiveness where variable data is not needed.
