The year 2015 was a very busy year for Fremont-based EFI when it came to acquisitions. The company acquired a few hardware players in the inkjet space and also took over few software firms. With this backdrop, the 2016 edition of the annual EFI worldwide users’ conference, EFI Connect, was bound to see a greater participation and interest. And as expected, EFI Connect 2016, which took place from 19 to 22 January was sold out with 10% more pre-registered customer attendees compared to 2015. This year’s event also saw the debut of several new Productivity Suites.
In his keynote address delivered on the first day EFI CEO Guy Gecht touched upon points that printers should keep in mind to achieve success or become a Jedi in the business of printing, referring to the main protagonist in the fictional Star Wars universe. He stressed that change is something that is inevitable and one should bet on changes in market forces to grow. Another advice he gave to printers was to focus on short-run as it leads to profits. Diversification and exploring new avenues hold the key to success, he said, adding that printers have to look beyond paper. Industries worldwide are moving towards automation and the world of printing is no exception. Stressing on this fact Gecht said, “You don’t have to touch what you can automate.”
He went on to add, “Not placing a bet is also a bet but a bad one and standing still is not an option. You must be willing to take a risk. Doing nothing is a guarantee that you will be unsuccessful.” During his keynote address, Gecht unveiled the Imaging of Things exchange (www.ImagingofThings.com), an online customer applications gallery designed to help EFI customers and print buyers grow their network and business relationships. The online exchange is free for EFI customers and provides a venue for them to post images and videos of their work in a forum targeted at print buyers looking for new, unique and innovative application ideas.
Later in the day Steve Wynn, CEO of Wynn Resorts, delivered a keynote address where he talked about his experience in building a successful business. An important lesson, he said, is that employees should gain a sense of pride and enhanced self-esteem through their work. And, at this year’s conference EFI is continuing its strategy and commitment and has doubled its Productivity Suite offerings with three new certified suites for the quick printing, publication print and corrugated packaging segments.
On display at the exhibit floor were technologies from the EFI industrial inkjet portfolio, including entry-level and new, high-end hybrid LED printers with advanced, variable-drop gray scale imaging and industry leading white ink. Moreover, on display was the roll-to-roll LED printing technology from EFI’s recently acquired Matan product line; print applications produced on EFI’s Creta print ceramic tile printers; and Jetrion narrow-web label printers and the company’s recently acquired line of Reggiani textile printers. The Connect 2016 exhibit floor also displayed products and solutions from Canon, Xerox, Duplo, 3M Commercial Graphics and Esko to name a few companies.
Talking exclusively to Indian Printer & Publisher on the sidelines of the event, Gecht sounded extremely bullish about EFI India operations. “When people ask me how will the slowdown in China impact EFI, I tell them growth in India will compensate for that decline.”
Among the acquisitions two particular ones, Matan and Reggiani, would interest Indian customers the most. “Actually the two we did last year are very important from the Indian market point of view. These two acquisitions on the inkjet side have huge potential in India. Matan and Reggiani are two perfect products for the Indian market. The cost of Matan products is much lower than VEUTEk products so they are very attractive for Indian customers. In fact, we sold the first Matan (after the acquisition) in India recently. So now the second, third, fourth and subsequent customers will be much easier to acquire,” Gecht said.
Gecht believes that Matan is a great brand and now with EFI’s support its can expand in markets such as India much easily than it could have done alone. And in order to achieve the desired penetration in India, marketing and communication are areas on which EFI will be focussing going forward.
