Tony Aquino 路 Fujifilm FP790: ePac Flexibles Invests in Inkjet 路 PACK EXPO Chicago
At PACK EXPO in Chicago, INKISH Editor-in-Chief Morten B. Reitoft meets Tony Aquino, Vice President of Sales at Fujifilm North America, for an important announcement: ePac Flexible Packaging, one of the most recognized names in digital flexible packaging, has decided to invest in Fujifilm’s Jet Press FP790.
For Fujifilm, the announcement represents a significant milestone in bringing its water-based inkjet technology to the North American packaging market. Following successful installations in Europe and growing interest in the technology, the decision by an established digital packaging producer like ePac provides important validation of the FP790’s capabilities and commercial potential.
Aquino explains why ePac’s decision is particularly interesting. Already operating an extensive digital printing infrastructure, ePac sees opportunities to expand its business by combining existing technologies with the FP790. Rather than replacing current equipment, the Fujifilm press introduces additional capabilities, potentially opening new markets, applications, and business opportunities.
The conversation also explores the growing importance of sustainability, food-safe packaging, water-based inks, and the regulatory developments influencing technology investments on both sides of the Atlantic. Aquino explains why purchasing a digital packaging press involves much more than printing technology alone, with lamination, coating, pouch production, and the overall manufacturing workflow playing essential roles.
With ePac now joining Fujifilm’s growing customer base, the announcement could mark an important step in the adoption of industrial inkjet printing for flexible packaging in North America.
An interesting conversation about technology, business development, and why one of the industry’s established digital packaging producers is choosing to expand its capabilities with another digital printing platform.
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Mon October 19th
Virag Patel 路 ePac & Fujifilm FP790: Expandi...
At PACK EXPO in Chicago, INKISH Editor-in-Chief Morten B. Reitoft meets Virag Patel, Co-Founder and CEO of ePac Flexible Packaging, following the announcement of a global strategic partnership with Fujifilm and the introduction of the Jet Press FP790 into ePac's production platform. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, ePac has grown from a single facility in Madison, Wisconsin, into an international digital flexible packaging company. Patel reflects on the journey, the importance of taking risks, and how a willingness to experiment with new technologies has become an essential part of ePac's culture. Innovation sometimes involves failure, but according to Patel, learning from those experiences is what allows a company to continue growing. The decision to invest in Fujifilm's FP790 follows nearly two years of evaluation and represents an expansion rather than a replacement of ePac's existing HP Indigo technology. Patel explains why having multiple technologies available creates opportunities to serve different market segments, support customers as their businesses grow, and explore applications that were previously outside ePac's reach. The conversation also addresses the majority investment by Butterfly Equity and how access to capital, combined with financial discipline, can support the company's next phase of expansion. Equally important is ePac's highly automated workflow and scalable production model, which have enabled the business to serve thousands of customers across different geographical markets. Looking ahead, Patel sees opportunities beyond ePac's traditional flexible packaging applications, including new product categories such as labels, sleeves, and other packaging formats. For him, printing technology is ultimately a vehicle for reaching new markets, rather than an end in itself. An interesting conversation about entrepreneurship, calculated risks, strategic partnerships, and why ePac believes the next decade could offer even greater opportunities than the first.