NUR Macroprinters has formed an alliance for Fresco users so they can share experiences and develop new markets for wide-format digital printing.


The first meeting of the initial 10 members of the Fresco Leadership Alliance took place in Milan on 9 November before the Sign Italia exhibition. It included four US companies, two from Asia-Pacific and four from Europe, Africa and the Middle East.


NUR Europe managing director Alon Avnon said the company was bringing together its elite clients, which include Milan-based Extralarge, Marc Marti of Barcelona and Stonehouse Graphics of Johannesburg.


"We've sold 75 Frescos since January. Production may be a problem, as there's a limit to how quickly you can expand it," said Avnon.


He admitted that the UK market had been a disappointment, which had not been helped by an unsuccessful beta test at Newcastle's Norscreen in 1999. "It's as if UK clients are not aware of our success in Europe," he added.


NUR has posted a 143% rise in third-quarter revenues of 25.6m ($36.6m), but it made an 870,000 loss due to the acquisition of US large-format printer manufacturer Salsa.


Story by John Davies