Electronics For Imaging (EFI) will be prioritizing technology investments to accelerate growth in its fast-growing industrial EFI inkjet business to continue to lead the industry in the analog-to-digital transition, as well as in its market-leading Fiery business.
As part of this focused strategy, EFI has completed a sale of its eProductivity Software (EPS) packaging and print productivity software business to an affiliate of Symphony Technology Group (STG). EFI and EPS will continue collaborating with their joint customers and partners to ensure mutual success.
“We have never been more excited about the opportunity in the industrial inkjet markets and our ability to leverage Fiery, the leading Digital Front End (DFE) technology for digital color printing, to continue to drive the analog-to-digital transformation in all high-value segments of imaging, while increasingly serving new adjacencies including eCommerce, direct-to-garment, and other rapidly growing segments,” said Jeff Jacobson, EFI’s chief executive officer and executive chairman. “We are making significant investments to continue to be the clear leader in the packaging and corrugated, display graphics, textile, and building materials or decor markets.”
EFI Industrial Inkjet – Capturing Unprecedented Opportunity
The industrial inkjet space is ripe with opportunities in existing and adjacent vertical markets. EFI inkjet will continue to drive its leadership in high-volume, shuttle, and single-pass inkjet technology, which the company has currently implemented in award-winning, high-performance products for the packaging and corrugated display graphics, textile, and building materials/decor verticals.
EFI said it would also leverage its industry-leading expertise in hardware, mechanical control software, high-speed electronics, services, cloud-connected devices, and ink innovations to deliver the next generation of versatile, high-volume, superior-quality printers and presses.
Following the realignment, EFI is making investments in R&D to strengthen its position in core markets while entering new categories, including developing technologies to address new applications for the textile space and packaging.
Fiery – Driving Digital Print Innovation and Growth
The Fiery business unit, under the continued leadership of Fiery chief operating officer and general manager Toby Weiss, remains as the world’s premier DFE provider across many vertical markets, including packaging, signage, and commercial print with advanced Fiery solutions driving high-end printers and presses from many major equipment manufacturers.
“The Fiery portfolio of products incorporates world-class color algorithms, advanced cloud technology, and many other best-in-class proprietary solutions that reduce production time and increase print quality,” said Weiss. “Working in close consultation with our partners, the investments we are making in the future of Fiery technology will foster even stronger solutions, including leading-edge cloud offerings through an EFI IQ suite of products that continues to help customers achieve new levels of automation, accuracy, and profit potential in digital printing.”
Productivity Software – Investing for Growth under New Ownership
EPS’ new owner, STG, is a leading private equity firm that focuses on investing in software, data analytics, and software-enabled technology services companies and will support EPS to deliver enhanced value to its packaging and print customers and accelerate global growth. STG completed this acquisition on 30 December 2021. The price and terms of the deal were not disclosed.
EFI’s upcoming Connect users conference will be a joint event for EFI and EPS customers. Leaders from both companies will highlight their technology enhancements and product roadmap strategies during the 17-21 January in Las Vegas gathering.
