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PARTNERS
Like other printer companies, OKI
Systems UK is relying on innovation
and diversification for future growth.
At a dealer event held in late summer,
managing director Takaaki Hagiwara
said: “OKI’s future vision is based on
growth through diversification. This is
only possible through innovation. What
makes OKI stand out in the printer market
is this commitment to innovation. Our
development of LED technology is one
of the great successes of this approach.
Our vision is to meet our goals through a
strategy designed to stimulate and sustain
sales performance.”
To this end, as well as continuing to
expand its office print offering with high
definition colour LED devices, printer-
based solutions and managed print
services (MPS), OKI will be exploring and
developing new markets, including graphic
arts and professional printing.
The first fruits of this approach were
revealed in October, both at a corporate
level, when OKI announced that it had
acquired the wide format division of
Japan’s Seiko Group, and locally with the
unveiling of a new narrow format label
printer and a new sub-brand for graphics
arts (GA) devices.
Wide format division
On October 1, OKI Data Corporation
completed the acquisition of the wide
format printer business of Seiko I Infotech
Inc. (SIIT), a subsidiary of Seiko Instruments
Inc. (SII), and set up OKI Data Infotech
Corporation. As part of the agreement, OKI
subsidiaries in Europe and US acquired the
wide format printer business and assets of
SII’s European and US group companies.
Takao Hiramoto, President of OKI Data
Corporation, claims the acquisition will
help OKI expand into the professional print
market with ColorPainter inkjet-based wide
format graphics devices and the Teriostar
range of LED-based engineering printers.
He said: “Through this acquisition, we
have not only acquired a portfolio of wide
format inkjet printers for signs and LED
graphic plotters, but also the corresponding
technologies, development resources
and sales channels. By offering one-stop
printing solutions targeting the printing,
distribution and retail industry sectors, we
will strengthen our printer business in the
professional printer market.”
Narrow format printing
At the same time, OKI announced a
new application of its core colour LED
technology that will enable it to pursue
new opportunities in the short-run label
printing market.
Providing reel-to-reel and cut sheet
label printing, OKI’s modular label printer,
to be launched in January 2016, opens
new opportunities and revenue streams
for high street print shops and small
print houses, whilst also enabling end
user organisations to bring label printing
in-house.
OKI Systems UK Marketing Director
Graham Lowes said: “OKI toner technology
gives us a lot more flexibility with the type
of substrates we can print on. The white
toner product especially opens up new
applications where you can start printing
on clear labels and get good imagery on
gold and silver labels as well. It really does
open up new market opportunities for this
type of product.
“This is going to be key for short-run
markets where variable data is important
and for industries that have short,
customised runs where using traditional
print technologies involves huge amounts
of time and cost in setting up the device
and doing a relatively short print run.”
He added: “You can look at this as
a new added offering to your product
portfolio. We really do believe that there is
a good margin opportunity in selling this
product.”
LED specialist acquires Seiko’s wide format inkjet
business, launches new label printer and drives
push into graphics market with new sub-brand
OKI diversifies
for growth
Graphics expansion
The graphics arts (GA) market is another
opportunity for OKI resellers. Two years
ago, OKI re-invigorated its presence in this
market with the introduction of its four-
and five-station A3 colour engine. It now
plans to build on this and generate further
growth with the launch of the Pro Series
sub-brand for the GA market.
Lowes says that OKI is introducing the
Pro Series sub-brand to differentiate its GA
products from its C series of IT devices and
to strengthen its offering for proofing and
light production and on-demand printing
by commercial printers and advertising,
design and creative agencies.
“What we want to do with this product
range is to move into the short-run, lower
production space and offer a higher
contract volume click on the engine so we
can start bringing in even more competitive
click pricing at the high volume stages,”
he said.
The Pro Series includes the Pro9541
(previously the ES9541), which can print
a fifth spot colour (white or clear gloss)
in addition to the four process colours;
the five-colour Pro9542 (previously the
ES9542), which can print full colour
plus white toner in a single pass onto
substrates for use on glass, leather, fabrics
and plastics; and the Pro9431 50ppm High
Definition A3 colour printer.
The latter is also available in a version
for medium-to-large office workgroups.
The newly launched C911 dn is up to
40% faster than its nearest rivals and can
print High Definition, 1200 x 1200 dpi
output onto media up to 360gsm (320gsm
duplex).
“By offering
one-stop
printing
solutions
targeting
the printing,
distribution
and retail
industry
sectors, we
will strengthen
our printer
business in the
professional
printer
market.”
