But Laurence Roberts, Agfa UKs director of graphic systems, has retorted by claiming that Creos long-term strategy has always been a mystery to me.
Theyre in favour of bundling, then theyre not in favour of it, he said. Having a policy that lasts more than six months might be beneficial.
Michelson said Creo had lost some CTP market share because it hadnt had a compelling offering for smaller companies until the launch of its entry-level range at Print 01 last autumn. Although the firm is now bundling consumables in North America, it is yet to extend that to Europe.
The economics have to be changed in order for us to put a big effort into the European 4pp market, he added.
Michelson also refuted suggestions that Agfa had gained share because it offered both visible light and thermal systems. I believe the 4pp market belongs to thermal processless offerings and we will see that come in a big way by the middle of 2003, he said.
Michelson's comments on Agfa's hardware sales policy were rejected by Roberts: "We are in the business of selling our equipment as a vehicle to sell consumables, he said. We want to offer a complete system so that we can deal with customers over a long period of time as a partner.
Agfa has clocked up around 40 UK sales of its Palladio B2 violet platesetter since its launch at the beginning of the year.
[o]Agfa has also launched upgraded versions of its Polaris CTP system for newspapers. The Polaris X range comprises three different models, including the 350 plates-per-hour violet XDV machine the fastest platesetter on the market.
Story by Jo Francis
