Set to Transform Digital Inkjet Printing Technology
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Gecht, EFI : “AI is accelerating at unbelievable speed” Pg 3 February 2017 US$2.75 COMPANIES NEWS PROFILE Agfa Graphics .........12 AMS...................... 22 Avery Dennison ..... 10 Azonprinter ...........17 Baldwin ............... 22 Canon ................... 9 Cimpress ............... 22 Color-Logic ...........20 Coveris .................20 Drytac ...................17 Efi ..................... 3, 15 Felix ..................... 19 FINAT .................... 19 HP......................... 5 hubergroup ..........20 JHF........................ 9 Kernow .................12 Nayar sees growth Kodak .................. 23 Komori ..................12 in digital Kornit Digital ........ 23 Lecta .................... 10 GM-Zabeel backs reinvestment Mepco Gulf ........... 19 into the printing business PG 27 Mimaki ..................17 Mohawk ...............20 Mutoh .................. 15 REGIONAL NEWS Ndigitec ................. 6 Nilpeter ................. 5 Onyx Graphics ....... 15 Plastivision ............ 5 Polar .................... 22 RadTech ................ 22 Sappi ................... 19 SBA ....................... 5 SGP ...................... 10 Stora Enso ........19, 20 Sun Chemical ....10, 22 SwissQprint........... 15 400 exhibitors from Tech-ni-Fold .......... 3 Vetaphone ............. 5 Wohlers ................. 5 Xaar ......................12 Xeikon ............. 20, 23 36 countries at SGI’17 Age Graphics, JHF Xerox ................... 15 The 20th edition of the Sign and Graphics Imaging show was Zünd .................... 23 inaugurated by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, director general, Dubai host event Media Office page 31 Manufacturers JHF organized REGULARS the event in Thailand pg 9 News ..................... 3 Comment .............. 25 Analysis ................30 PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Features ............... 42 Product Portfolio ...46 Post Script ............50 Kodak NexPress ZX3900 NexPress has new offerings like opaque white ink and can support up to 530gsm page 46 UAE NEWS Tech-ni-Fold Annual conference EFI Connect targets ME Creasing experts Tech-ni-Fold and its sister-company, digital kicks off with AI address finishing solutions provider, CreaseStream, have joined the EFI chief executive Guy Gecht first time fix rate on service roster of exhibitors at this highlighted Artificial calls by 50%. year’s Gulf Print & Pack show Intelligence (AI) as the next He quipped: “The robot in Dubai. big thing for the industry in that will make the keynote After focussing its efforts on his opening address at EFI’s address in two or three years seeking the right partner in annual user conference, will introduce you to even Turkey during 2016, Tech-ni- Connect. more happy customers.” Fold turn their attention Gecht had actually worked However, he also shared toward the Middle East to on an AI project when he was research involving a survey of expand its distribution net- at university 30 years ago, 1,000 people that showed how work even further. After 18 which involved attempting to widespread people’s concerns years in business Tech-ni-Fold make a computer recognise Launched its largest soft signage printer: Vutek FabriVU 520 are about the possible dangers has assembled an expert team different handwritten letters. of AI – the younger demo- across more than 40 countries “It was very difficult for a was being powered by big about ‘lights out’ print factory graphic of 18-34 year-olds to promote and sell its world- computer to do that, and the data, the “unbelievable com- was becoming a reality. were actually more concerned renowned products. key thing was could it learn putation power in the cloud” He cited Printflow as EFI’s about its likely affect on jobs Tech-ni-Fold’s leading prod- over time. It was so tough [for and the computing power in first learning software, and and the potential for ‘bad peo- uct, the Tri-Creaser, is a retro- the computer to achieve this], everyday devices. said the company was invest- ple to use AI to harm others’ fit tool that has revolutionised I thought ‘this isn’t going to “Technology everywhere is ing in other AI projects such as than the general population. the way creasing and folding is happen in my lifetime’. But helping us to do more with less Smart Print Production, Gecht’s address kicked performed in print finishing something happened and the people,” Gecht stated. which has a major focus on off the event in Las Vegas, houses and binderies around AI space is accelerating at “Machine learning will watch preventive diagnostics and a with some 1,000 customers the world. unbelievable speed.” the habits of customers.” goal of improving uptime by from around the world in Tristan Owen, Tech-ni- He said the AI revolution He said the often-talked- 20-25% and to improve the attendance. Fold’s International Business Manager, said: “We are com- mitted to identifying those dynamic individuals and com- Paperworld to be held between 14-16 March panies who are knowledgeable about the full range of finishing The annual office supplies turers and distributors of Paperworld and Playworld machines, systems and process and office paper exhibtion - office equipment, paper attracted 6,774 trade visitors and who are ambitious enough Paperworld Middle East will shredders, engraving from 101 countries while 304 to introduce a new product to be held between 14th -16th machines, presentation aids, exhibitors from 36 countries market.” March this year at the Dubai organisational aids (includ- showcased their latest wares, Digital creasing machine International Convention & ing organiser, timer), mail- from office supplies, paper, manufacturer CreaseStream, Exhibition Centre. ing, adhesives, stamping, 7th edition to start in March school, party and gift articles, are set to share stand alongside Organised by Messe office accessories, writing to toys, games, wrapping Tech-ni-Fold during Gulf Print Frankfurt, the show will have and drawing utensils and This year will be the 7th paper, printer consumables, & Pack 2017, which runs participation from manufac- full-range suppliers. edition of the show. In 2016, and arts and craft supplies. between 26th–29th March. THE MONTH IN PRINT Nilpeter hosts an event with Agfa launches 3.2m, 6 colour Cisco has released the findings of a global study indicat- new distributor Vetaphone RTR 3200 LED printer STOP PRESS ing that while cloud adoption continues to accelerate, Event held at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jeti Ceres RTR 3200 LED is available few organizations are maximizing the value that cloud can offer. According to the Dubai on 8th January Page 5 with immediate effect Page 12 study, nearly 68 percent of organizations are using cloud to help drive business outcomes, a 61 percent increase from last year’s study. The increased cloud adoption Delta Group unveils state-of Mepco Gulf with its European is being fueled by cloud-native applications, including security and the Internet of the-art facility in Dubai partner conducted an event Things (IoT) cloud-based solutions. On average, the most “cloud advanced” organi- Delta Group has invested around Special conference held at Shangri La zations see an annual benefit per cloud-based application of $3 million in addi- 200m for the new facility Pg 6 Hotel, Dubai on 26th of January Pg 19 tional revenues and $1 million in cost savings. These revenue increases have been largely the result of sales of new products or accelerated ability to sell into new Fortune7 becomes the hubergroup develops markets. The study also reveals that 95% of those organizations with optimized partner of Wit Color for GCC sheet-fed printing ink cloud strategies have built a hybrid IT environment that uses multiple private and Deal finalized during SGi event Pg 9 MGA NATURA for food packaging Pg 20 public clouds based on economics, location and governance policies. PrintWeek MEA Editorial t: +971 4 2399955 e: [email protected] Subscriptions and advertising t: +971 4 2399955 e: [email protected] * All featured prices are approximate and correct at time of going to press For a full contacts listing go to page 50 www.printweekmea.com February 2017 PrintWeek MEA 3 UAE NEWS REGIONAL BRIEFS Bahrain is heading towards the adoption of a new press Dubai Police UL discuss and e-media law that would preserve the rights of journalists and media persons the risks of 3D printing and would criminalize whoever assaults a journalist. Dubai Police is collaborating During a Cabinet session held with 3D printing experts to out- earlier this week, Bahrain’s line the risks posed by 3D print- ministers discussed a draft press and e-media Law that would ing with a two-day workshop replace Law 47/2002 on the Organization of the Press, Printing covering the emerging indus- and Publishing. Bahrain Minister of Information Affairs Ali try, processes, materials and Al-Rumeihi told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that the new law quality as well as the various would guarantee press and media freedoms in line with ethical safety considerations. and professional standards. According to Wohlers Associates, the global 3D print- UK will be the ‘country of ing market – or additive manu- honour’ at Sharjah Book Fair. facturing as it is also known – is 3D printing experts outlined the risks posed by 3D printing The Sharjah Book Authority expected to reach $21 billion by (SBA) has announced that the 2020 with safety equipment, confirming that they intend to technology is advancing rap- United Kingdom (UK) will be toys, construction and manu- invest heavily in the world idly across the world and Dubai the