Peter Kloppers, DG Press Services
The demand for good pre-owned machines is driven by the fact that good refurbished machines are much cheaper than the new ones. Also, it provides the same performance thus making the return on investment much better.
The restructuring within the European print market also means that there are relatively many pre-owned presses available.
For many press brands, the availability of proper skills to execute a good and effective refurbishment is limited because it requires experience, know-how, documentation, software and specialisation. Here is a big market opportunity for companies like DGPS who can do this.
Price is certainly a factor, but value for money is even more. A good refurbished press behaves like a new press. The price difference between a used refurbished press and a new one can differ but is approximately between 50-75 %.
Yes, we do want to deal directly with the buyer to be able to create the right press for the customer. So a lot of technical discussions need to take place. Also, we want that our customers are fully aware what they get when they place an order for pre-owned kit and we need to be fully aware about the technical purpose of the press.
Inspecting pre-owned machinery is an important must-do. That’s because there are many bad used machines in the market place. Therefore, refurbishment by skilled specialists and a refurbishment budget becomes important.
My advise to buyers of pre-owned kit is: make sure that there is a good exchange of information about the technicalities. Go to the dealer and see for yourself the capabilities of the dealer to refurbish.
Nilesh Shah, KMI
Unlike earlier, the life of technology is very short. And it is as essential to adapt to and adopt this fast-paced change. Our latest entrant in the market, the Konica Minolta C70HC can print in RGB format, an industry first. In any market, new solutions and good service together determine profit levels and give a competitive edge.
The evolving technology predominantly opens new avenues and newer opportunities for expansion. With the C70HC, we have been able to cater to a wider customer base in the segment.
Today, the Indian print industry is 80% offset and 20% digital, a picture that will soon overturn with the digital advancements. The cost per unit measure is an important factor to compute productivity in the digital printing segment. Fortunately, the recent adversities due to hike in the raw material cost hasn’t had an impact on the digital segment.
KMI has received an award for the third best growth performer of the year for Konica Minolta (KM) worldwide. We have a 3% market share in B/W, 12% in colour and 15% in light production printing. We have a sturdy base of 350 dealers and are looking to expand it in the coming year.
There are a lot of opportunities in India to go the green way. KM has received a BERTL and Buyers’ Laboratory Inc (BLI) certification.
Indian consumers are yet to witness the retail digital print era. The retail print mall concept is gradually taking shape. Print Bazaar, with five stores across the country aiming at providing a complete solution, is a major entrant in this segment.
An ideal solution provider would be a stop where both, offset and digital solutions are offered.
Ravi Agarwala, Apsom Infotex
We operate in the wide-format segment and our experience is that the investments are widespread. Instead of seeing spending on high-ticket printers, we see growth and spending at the other end of the spectrum. In terms of number of machines being installed, we see a strong demand from all geographies.
We represent Roland DG in India and at Ipex, we are showcasing the new printer Roland has offered to the market. With a 20-inch print width, equipped with print and cut function and support of metallic (silver) ink, the product is aimed at addressing issues in design agencies, along with being an easy answer for the T-shirt transfer, very short-run labels and applications for car accessories. In addition, it supports upto A2 size of posters for stores and offices.
At the show, Apsom is also showcasing Roland LEJ-640: a unique high quality UV-printer that delivers amazing quality and effects with it’s options of white, gloss, while allowing media with thickness up to 10mm. Among the samples on display are prints in 3D relief that takes on the look of a master.
The bottom line is that: technology that allows users to innovate and connect with the consumer on a large scale, will be the winner in the long run.
Anuj Mehta, Paper Idea
The trends in investment by the Indian print industry have been surprising. We’re increasingly seeing a lot of companies investing into quality technological products and this demand is increasing. We have acquired land in an industrial area and would be announcing our foray into domestic manufacturing. We are very bullish about the growth, hence we are also weighing options which will help us ramp up our R&D.
The question which surrounds the print industry is: how to be profitable? To-date I have seen companies are more concerned about top-line and are less concerned about the bottom-line. With the current market trends, the cost of labour and raw material going up, a lot of print companies have started understanding the true cost of ownership. But a majority of printers still work towards top-line. I would encourage print companies to focus towards true profitability instead of artificial profitability.
Productivity has improved and I would give credit to technologies like print and finish engines, workflow and MIS tools. But as said earlier, there is scope for improvement.
I think, all technologies have a role to to play. Today if digital is expanding, so is the market for offset. Both the technologies will grow but digital will have more growth as compared to conventional. The reason is simple; digital is a new technology which accounts for the offset’s limitations. With these options in hand, digital is able to offer a wider spectrum of customers.
Today majority of printers are being followers. There is minimal innovation. Print companies should create R&D centres in their print labs which should focus on products and services for current and future trends.
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