Xeikon, an innovator in digital printing technology, reported a very successful Labelexpo Europe show, closing 25 deals and acquiring a large number of leads. “Labelexpo Europe in Brussels remains THE show for the labels and packaging industries, and its central location in Brussels makes it easily accessible to the European community,” comments Wim Maes, Xeikon’s CEO. “We also appreciate the two-year cycle of the show, allowing a higher concentration of innovation and a better view of the future of the industry. During this year’s Labelexpo – whose attendance was estimated at more than 35,000 visitors, up more than 12% from the previous show – we again had the opportunity to meet and talk to people from around the globe and to experience the vitality of an event focused on an exciting and growing market. This validates our strategic decision to place a significant amount of focus on this market, which will represent an estimated 58% of our revenues by the end of this year.” Maes explains that Xeikon’s new tagline, “Direct. Dedicated. Digital.”, embodies Xeikon’s unique approach to the market and was very well received by show attendees.
Cheetah: running fast
Xeikon launched the first press featuring its Cheetah technology at the show. The Xeikon CX3 was the focal point of Xeikon’s stand, and the entire stand had a Cheetah theme in its honor. “We are very pleased with the market reception to this exciting technology,” says Filip Weymans, Xeikon Director Segment Labels & Packaging. “With the addition of the Xeikon CX3, we now have six digital label presses, the largest digital label printing portfolio in the industry. And the industry is excited about the Xeikon CX3 as well: by the end of the year, we will have sold 20 units!” The Xeikon CX3 with Cheetah Technology is the fastest digital label press in its league. For more information on this press visit www.xeikon.com/CX3.
Hear it from the customers
“This launch was warmly received at the show,” Weymans adds, “and we were pleased to share real customer experiences as well. We expect to have many more stories coming up once we have more of our presses installed in the field.”
Customer stories shared during the show included:
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The purchase of a Xeikon CX3 by Austrian label market leader Ulrich Etiketten;
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Swedish label printer Jinnestål’s acquisition of a Xeikon 3300 with a near-line Xeikon DCoat330 Dcoat converting unit and integration with Label Traxx; and
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Two additional purchases from the Nordic label community, by Swedish Jodi Etiketter who ordered a Xeikon CX3 digital label press; and Finnish operation Tarratuote Oy, who opted for the Xeikon 3030Plus system.
Fusion: High-end labels. One pass. One platform. All digital.
“These are just a few of the examples that demonstrate how dynamic the show was and how much interest there is in Xeikon solutions,” Weymans states. “Attendees were also excited to hear about future Xeikon strategies, including Fusion Technology, an innovative breakthrough concept that brings closer to reality the promise of fully automated, unattended label and packaging production from customer order to delivery. Fusion Technology combines full color production printing with digital embellishment of labels and packaging in a single, one-pass and fully digital production process.”
Fusion will consist of a series of embellishment modules released over time that are not just put in-line with the press, but are components of an entirely new modular system with the digital front-end taking care of prepress, data processing, color management and press operation as well as full control and operation of all embellishment modules without manual intervention. Potential digital embellishment modules include hot/cold foiling; screen prints; matte, gloss and structured flood and spot varnish and a digital braille module.
Higher margins, more opportunities
Also launched at the show were two additional Xeikon innovations:
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Matte Silver and Palladium toners, the first products in the new Xeikon Creative Colors toner group, adding high quality metallic magic for premium digital label and packaging print; and
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VariLane, to optimize productivity and profitability by printing labels of different sizes and run lengths on the same web in discreet lanes.
“If Labelexpo Europe 2015 is any indicator,” Maes concludes, “then both Xeikon and the labels & packaging community have an exciting future ahead. We are already looking forward to Labelexpo 2017, and, of course, drupa 2016 next spring, where you can be sure to see even more innovation from Xeikon!”
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