The 14 firms covering 11 countries, which includes A&P Display, Cox Plastics, Europoint Display and Paragon Imaging Materials in the UK, will offer a one- stop shop including wide-format printers, inks and finishing ancillaries as well as print substrates.

"Being a one-stop shop means being an expert in machinery and inks as well as in our core business of media," said Display business unit director John Summerside unveiling the new structure at Fespa (pictured centre).

The firm has signed a deal to sell Agfa's range of wide-format products including the new Anapurna 100 flatbed UV-cured press. The Agfa deal is not exclusive and builds on deals in several countries to sell wide-format equipment, including Roland in the UK.

It has also launched its own range of digital print media and finishing products including laminates under the dtec brand. The media includes products for aqueous, eco solvent and solvent digital printers.

Summerside said the move was in response to the changing nature of the firm's customers.

"There are going to be a lot of small customers and global groups offering multiple [print] processes," he said. He added that the smaller players would offer flexibility, while others would get bigger and would increasingly operate as large global groups.

"In the not-too-distant future we'll see an integrated approach from print buyers," he said. "Buyers don't care how it's produced they just want the right quality at the right price."

Story Barney Cox