EFI, a world leader in customer-focused
digital printing innovation, announced continued, successful momentum among
customers in packaging production, led by a significant increase in EFI Radius
ERP software installations and new UV and LED inkjet printer sales that will
give customers digital converting opportunities in corrugated, folding carton
and flexible packaging markets.
The number of net new Radius customers
doubled year-over-year between 2012 and 2013. Distinct Packabilities,
Shepherdsville, Ky.; Hub Labels, Hagerstown, Md.; K-1 Packaging Group, City of
Industry, Calif.; Netpak Packaging, Montreal; and several additional businesses
added Radius systems last year. Since
then, EFI’s Radius group has witnessed continued momentum working with
converters interested in building efficiencies and reducing costs using the
industry’s leading packaging ERP platform. The continued growth in the Radius
installed base comes from converters of all size and types, from smaller,
single-plant implementations to large-scale, multiplant and multinational
deployments.
A
strong evolution in packaging technology and a ‘spectacular’ ERP
One EFI customer, Alex Elezaj, chief
operating officer of Center Line, Mich.-based Whitlam Label, notes that the ERP
advantages with Radius software reflect the overall positive experience Whitlam
has seen working with EFI. “Technology has evolved tremendously in the last
five years with EFI,” said Elezaj. “Not only has the company provided us inkjet
digital printing capabilities with an EFI Jetrion press, the company’s EFI
Radius ERP has been just a spectacular program for us.”
EFI customers are expanding their investment
in packaging technology beyond the increase in Radius ERP deployments. While
much of the expansion comes from traditional converters bolstering their
operations, commercial printing and signage firms are also making strategic
purchases to establish profitable packaging operations. In response to the
demand, EFI has continued to develop its portfolio to include more
best-in-class packaging hardware and software.
EFI’s expanded offerings in the packaging
market include:
- Corrugated and folding carton packaging applications using the EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro high-speed inkjet press and EFI’s new material edge guide (MEG) system.
- New, greener flexible packaging and label production capabilities with the launch of the LED inkjet EFI Jetrion 4950LX narrow-web press.
- Technology from the April 2014 acquisition of Rhapso Group, manufacturer of one of the world’s leading software products for corrugated packaging production scheduling, PC-TOPP.
“The continued growth and interest EFI is
seeing in this market reflects our ongoing commitment to be a valued partner
for businesses that want to take advantage of the accelerating opportunities in
packaging,” said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president, worldwide sales and
marketing, EFI. “We are very proud to work with many of the world’s best
packaging converters and, as always, we are committed to helping them grow
profits, reduce waste and cut costs using the most innovative digital printing
and workflow technologies available.”
Connecting
converters to new workflow advantages
The improvements customers made last year
implementing Radius systems was followed by strong momentum with EFI’s January
2014 Connect users group event. Connect had record attendance, including the
highest-ever number of Radius users.
During Connect, EFI Radius’s product
management team shared initial details on a new version of the Radius ERP
software that incorporates technologies EFI has developed or acquired over the
past year. Available this month, EFI Radius version 15.1 offers new features
and enhancements, including a mobile CRM module; improved scheduling with EFI’s
world-class PrintFlow® plant optimization software; web-based, EFI SmartLinc
multi-carrier shipping features; and an EFI Radius customer web portal.
“This is an exciting time for EFI and our
customers,” according to David Taylor, general manager, EFI Radius. “With our
strong track record of smart acquisitions and internal R&D, EFI Radius
customers are able to benefit from improvements in our software platform that
support increased profits through cost reduction, higher productivity and
improved workflow.”
EFI
inkjet extends the range and sustainability of digital converting
Packaging converters are also increasingly
turning to EFI for digital printing solutions that make short- to medium-volume
production faster, more efficient and more profitable. To meet increased demand
for larger-format digital technologies that offer a better return on
investment, EFI has improved the packaging capabilities of its VUTEk inkjet
products. Future improvements, including continued expansion of EFI’s advanced,
LED-curing inkjet technology, will give converters even more digital packaging
printing opportunities.
And, in EFI’s Jetrion product line – the
leading inkjet press technology for the converting space – the new Jetrion
4950LX LED press prints on a broader range of label substrates and gives users
the ability to produce flexible packaging as well as labels. The press’s “cool
cure” LED platform uses significantly less energy, reduces waste, and saves
resources and money with longer-lasting LED lamps, all of which makes it a
greener, more cost-effective product that meets converters’ needs for
sustainable, profitable printing.
According to Deb Warner, founder and
president of the first U.S. company to install the EFI Jetrion 4950LX press –
Columbia Tenn.-based Graphic Label Solutions – the press’s green production
benefits are important. “The brands we work with are all setting goals for
sustainability, and they want suppliers who share that commitment,” said
Warner. “When I first saw EFI Jetrion inkjet technology, I knew it would help
us offer high quality while reducing waste. LED is the missing piece I need to
really address what our clients are looking for from a sustainability
perspective.”
