In this 'Conversations' with Editor Morten B. Reitoft, HP General Manager Annette Friskopp explains what drives her and how her competitive mindset drives her own ambitions, employees, and the entire company. In this open-minded interview, Annette Friskopp also explains how she was brought to HP to ensure agility and also how she has learned the advantages of both small and even more large organizations. Great conversation, and happy that INKISH got this opportunity at Innovationdays. Enjoy!

Wayne Beckett talks to Annegret Bönemann from foryouandyourcustomers about customer experiences on print websites. Do we know our customers? Do we understand their needs? Are we building trust? Simple questions but are they being asked internally.

Let's talk to a happy customer; always good to hear real stories from the actual users of the equipment. Polish family business Novacode is one of the loyal and larger users of Mark Andy, with 4 machines already in production and always looking to improve and be even more productive and efficient in what they do. Flexo is their game, and they look at the hybrid solutions and consider whether integrating inkjet into an end-to-end solution could fit into their portfolio. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-kulikowska-ruge-5a2757164/

AI driven print efficiency technology. Link to presentation: https://grafkom.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/WS19/OctoBoost_NC_low.pdf

In this conversation, Morten interviews Anna, an editor from Poland, about her experiences and insights into the Polish printing industry. Anna shares that Poland is known as the "Printing House of Europe" due to its large and active printing industry. Despite Poland being a relatively new member of the EU, it has a significant market, with around 40 million people. The EU's support, particularly in subsidizing printing companies, was not only for business development but also to protect democracy by ensuring the free dissemination of information. Anna discusses the transformation of the Polish printing industry from the communist era, where there were only a few government-controlled printing companies, to a thriving sector with approximately 2,500 companies, contributing significantly to the European GDP. This growth reflects the broader changes in Poland, from a period of limited freedom and technology to becoming a vital part of the European Union and the global printing industry. Anna also reflects on her experiences attending Drupa, the world’s largest printing equipment exhibition, highlighting how the event has evolved. She notes that the upcoming Drupa is expected to be different, with more emphasis on cost-cutting and digital innovations like artificial intelligence and machine learning, indicating a shift in the industry's focus towards more sustainable and technologically advanced practices. This summary encapsulates Anna's journey in the printing industry, the evolution of the printing sector in Poland, and her perspectives on the future of trade shows like Drupa in reflecting industry trends and advancements.

Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show at the NEC in Birmingham, speaking with long-time friend Andy Kent from Fujifilm. Andy shares that this is Fujifilm’s third consecutive year at the show, and the timing couldn’t be better. Following the 2023 launch of their Print-on-Demand business — selling directly into the market — The Print Show has become a key platform to engage customers, build awareness, and showcase innovation. The 2025 event, now bigger and busier than ever, reflects growing industry support, helped by the addition of The Sign Show and a more central Hall 3 location. Fujifilm is presenting several exciting developments on its stand this year. One highlight is the Acuity Triton, a wide-format system featuring a water-based UV ink — a major step forward in ink innovation for the segment. Another is the company’s new Supercolor range of five-colour presses, introducing a pink channel integrated into the colour separations. Rather than being used as a simple spot colour, the pink expands the colour gamut, enabling richer, more vibrant tones and improving difficult shades like oranges. This advancement offers printers an easy way to differentiate their output, delivering greater creative potential and visual impact. Andy notes that while the technology is there, many printers still need to educate designers and brand owners about the wider colour possibilities. Fujifilm is taking a proactive approach by engaging directly with the creative community and using open days at their Luton showroom to demonstrate what five-colour printing can achieve. The goal is to build awareness and demand from the design stage — helping printers stand out and add value. As active members of the IPIA, Fujifilm continues to bridge the gap between design and print, encouraging collaboration and innovation across the sector. Andy emphasizes that five-colour technology is not only effective but also accessible and affordable, providing print businesses with a practical way to enhance their offerings. A vibrant discussion on innovation, creativity, and collaboration in print — and a closer look at how Fujifilm is redefining possibilities in both wide format and digital print — filmed live at The Print Show in Birmingham.

Pat McGrew from Inkish interviews Andrew Strang, Business Development Manager at CERM, during LabelExpo 2025 in Barcelona. Andrew explains that CERM has spent decades building an open software architecture and a strong network of integrations with industry partners, allowing them to serve as the backbone of MIS for label and packaging printers. Customers, he says, are looking for end-to-end workflows—systems that can seamlessly connect prepress, presses, finishing, and converting equipment to move jobs efficiently through production. He notes that while many companies want to partner with CERM, the choice of integrations is often driven by customer needs. A recent example is CERM’s newly launched two-way integration with Durst, which was developed in response to customer demand and is already live at several sites. Andrew describes how these collaborations often start with customer requests, then move into product team discussions and technical trials until stable connections are established. While many in the industry view CERM as just another MIS vendor, Andrew highlights their deep specialization: their heritage is in labels and flexible packaging, and they are now expanding into folding carton. Unlike generalist MIS systems, CERM focuses solely on this sector, meaning its R&D and support are entirely dedicated to the specific needs of label and packaging converters. He concludes that this singular focus makes CERM a strong fit for companies in this space, offering solutions built precisely for their workflows.

At Printing United 2025 in Orlando, Morten Reitoft from INKISH speaks with Andrew Gunn, Head of Product Marketing at Fujifilm North America, about the company’s expanding technology portfolio and its “Make More” strategy. Andrew praises the show’s setup and energy: “It’s great — everything’s in one place, just like the industry’s focus on convergence.” That idea of convergence, he says, mirrors Fujifilm’s approach. “We’re showing everything from Revoria production toner and Jet Press inkjet to Acuity wide-format and Apeos office systems. It’s about one connected platform serving every customer need.” The conversation turns to ‘Make More’, Fujifilm’s core message — and acronym: M for Multi-platform offering, O for Optimized performance, R for Revenue growth, and E for Expanded experiences. “It’s not just a slogan,” Andrew says. “It’s a commitment to helping printers do more, earn more, and grow.” That “E” — Expanded experiences — reflects Fujifilm’s work to educate the market through CMYK+ design programs, pricing guides, and real-world business tools. “We’re not only selling technology,” Andrew explains. “We’re helping the whole industry elevate its creativity and profitability.” He also notes Fujifilm’s collaboration with design experts like Christine Yardley and Lucy Swanson, as well as the global expansion of “Make More” under Toshihiro Kino. “We started this in North America, but it’s now a global movement,” he says. Looking ahead, Andrew hints at new innovations such as AquaFuse ink and deeper automation. “We’re constantly innovating — but our goal stays the same,” he says. “To help customers say yes to more, achieve more, and make more.”

It's always interesting to talk to Andrew Gunn, and this time, we talk about the Digital Disruptive Platform, which is not a software platform, if that's what you think, but more of a mindset enabling business—but listen to this super interesting interview and learn!

In this interview with Fujifilm's Andrew Gunn, the viewer will get an understanding of why Fujifilm chooses to use words like 'platforms,' 'disruptive,' and many other far-reaching expressions - and as always, Andrew Gunn understands and defines the business for Fujifilm at a speed beyond most people. Always interesting - thank you, Gunn!

Andrew Gunn here speaks with Editor Morten B. Reitoft about how you, as a large corporate, roll out strategies.

It was a pleasure again to meet with Andrew Gunn at Fujifilm. Gunn gave a presentation on the new 5-color Revoria machines (ECS2100 and SC285S—and the 4-color versions of the same (without the s)), and as with almost everything at Fujifilm's booth, the technology was stunning. A 2400 DPI print using Fujifils Super-EA toner shows Fujifilm's commitment to toner technology!

The President and CEO, Andrew Fetherman from Müller Martini, is very satisfied with the development in the US market. As we speak about the market, he obviously sees new and exciting opportunities in the recent announcement of Müller Martini taking over the distribution of Hunkeler from Standard Finishing in 2026. He describes a process professionally handled by all parties and with the customer in mind.

Andrew Fetherman has been with Müller Martini for many years and has experienced how the technology evolves and how the customer's needs change. Get his insights in this interview from drupa 2024.  

At Printing United 2025 in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH meets Andy Fetherman at the Hunkeler and Müller Martini booth — now united under a single brand and logo for the first time. The conversation reflects both the strategic and personal dimensions of this major transition. Andy notes that while change is constant, the company has spent the past fifteen months preparing for this moment. “We’ve invested millions in people, equipment, spare parts, and even built a full training center with Hunkeler systems,” he says. “We’re as ready as we can be — maybe we’ll stub a toe or two, but we’re proud of how far we’ve come.” He explains that the Gen8 EVO represents a true co-development between the two engineering teams. “We’ve integrated the Müller Martini control platform into the Gen8 EVO, taking the best of Hunkeler’s mechanical innovation and merging it with our intuitive control interface,” he says. “It’s the evolution of both companies’ strengths.” Andy, who has been with Müller Martini for more than 31 years, describes the acquisition as part of a broader pattern of strategic growth. “This isn’t our first integration,” he explains. “In 2015, we acquired Heidelberg’s finishing portfolio, then Kolbus in 2018. Hunkeler is different because it’s complementary technology that opens entirely new market segments — transactional print, direct mail — while staying close to our core competencies in folding and cutting paper.” He emphasizes that the North American operation has been built with service quality in mind. “By early 2026, we expect 80–85% of Hunkeler spare parts to be stocked in Allentown,” he says. “We could have started selling parts earlier, but we didn’t want to risk our reputation by not delivering at the standard our customers expect. January 1st is when that light switch really flips.” Discussing market reaction, Andy admits that some customers were initially surprised by the merger. “It’s like finding out your next-door neighbors just moved in together,” he laughs. “But the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The trust in both brands is strong — Müller Martini’s reputation for service, and Hunkeler’s for innovation.” He adds that the company’s deep digital experience gives them confidence moving forward. “Digital has been in our DNA for 25 years. Two-thirds of our North American revenue already comes from digital. So, this isn’t new territory — it’s the next level.” As always, the conversation ends on a friendly note, with Morten joking about bloopers and Andy smiling: “We’ll make sure to have some fun too.”

It’s all about the speed of the machine, the speed of the makeready, and the quality, and the Koenig & Bauer ticks all the boxes for the British packaging company Alexir Packaging. The company does everything from design and construction to printing and is a company that continues to experience growth. Choosing presses and post-press equipment was done thoroughly, and Operations Manager Andrew Crack is very pleased with what he refers to as probably the most advanced Koenig & Bauer press in the market. Watch and enjoy!

Andrew Boyd of Blue Label Packaging, a 100% digital label converter based in the US, has used CERM's MIS software for the past ten years. He talks about how the technology has impacted its production and scaled alongside the company's rapid growth.

Andrew Bailes Collins of Ultimate Tech discusses the software developer's partnership with Canon to provide the digital front-end for the press manufacturer's new LabelStream LS2000 water-based inkjet press, unveiled at Labelexpo Americas 2024.

Language: Spanish · Subtitles: English/Spanish At Labelexpo Mexico, INKISH speaks with Andrés Tamez, General Manager of Advisors and Consultants in Color Consultants and Solutions, as the company celebrates its 15th anniversary. Andrés showcases a comprehensive range of color management solutions tailored for the graphic arts and printing industries. From Pantone color guides and light booths for accurate color evaluation under various lighting conditions to precision measurement tools that provide exact color coordinates, the stand covers the full spectrum of color control. Andrés also demonstrates advanced systems for press calibration, including fully automated solutions that control ink levels directly from a console, reducing waste, setup times, and manual adjustments. With tools for every stage of the production process—from design inspiration to final print—his team offers cutting-edge, efficient, and intelligent solutions that improve color consistency and press performance. The booth reflects a deep commitment to innovation, quality, and customer-focused service in the ever-evolving world of color technology. Interviewer: Claudia Mendoza Angeles · Revista El Impresor

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andres-mulero-cucala-8637b721/

Over The Skype with Jacques Michiels, CEO INKISH Benelux https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquesmichiels-benelux/ The INKISH webinar series on #SmartFactory / Industry 4.0 in the team of Yves d'Aviau de Ternay, CEO INKISH France, Morten B. Reitoft, INKISH HQ and Jacques Michiels, CEO INKISH BENELUX, sets standards. Indeed, the experts have made a lot of plans to develop future scenarios for the print industry. The conversation was about the following questions: - What is it that drives you? How do you get it? - Where are we standing? Where do we have to go? - What exactly is important about the #SmartFactory? What is it all about? - What are the benefits for print shops? - What are the total findings from the webinar series? - What are the most important recommendations for action that can be derived? The webinar concept is very extensive and quite complex. But it's not just a topic from experts for experts. What is the best way to get started in order to optimally deal with the situation? Our colleague Rainer Wagner from LATAM noted that the topic of AI / artificial intelligence was neglected. Is that correct? Is it still too far from thinking in the print industry? How will you and Yves follow up on the topic? What happens next? The answers are extremely conclusive and extremely interesting. But see for yourself! --- Over The Skype mit Jacques Michiels, CEO INKISH Benelux https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquesmichiels-benelux/ Die INKISH Webinar-Reihe zu #SmartFactory / Industrie 4.0 im Team von Yves d'Aviau de Ternay, CEO INKISH France, Morten B. Reitoft, INKISH HQ und Jacques Michiels, CEO INKISH BENELUX, setzt Massstäbe. Die Experten haben sich in der Tat viel vorgenommen, um Zukunfts-Szenarien für die Print-Branche zu entwickeln. Das Gespräch rankte sich um folgende Fragen: - Was treibt Euch an? Wie kommt ihr drauf? - Wo stehen wir? Wo müssen wir hin? - Was genau ist am Thema #SmartFactory wichtig? Was verbirgt sich dahinter? - Welcher Nutzen entsteht für Druckereien? - Was sind die Erkenntnisse aus der Webinar-Reihe in Summe? - Welches sind die wichtigsten Handlungs-Empfehlungen, die sich ableiten lassen? Das Webinar-Konzept ist sehr umfangreich und durchaus komplex. Aber es sit ja nicht nur ein Thema von Experten für Experten. Wie findet man am besten den Einstieg, um sich mit der Sachlage optimal auseinanderzusetzen? Unser Kollege Rainer Wagner aus LATAM merkte an, dass ihm das Thema AI / Künstliche Intelligenz zu kurz gekommen ist. Stimmt das? Ist es vielleicht noch zu weit weg vom Denken in der Print-Branche? Wie werden Yves und Du das Thema weiterverfolgen? Was passiert als nächstes? Die Antworten sind äußerst schlüssig und hochinteressant. Aber sehen Sie selbst!

In this Learn With Us session, Andreas Weber explains how to use Social Media, as well as a bit of history. Great presentation that gives you tips and tricks on how to get the most out of it. Andreas Weber is heading INKISH D-A-CH as well as his own Value Trendradar.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasweber/

The conversation is an interview with Andreas Weber, discussing his involvement with the printing industry and his contributions, including writing a book on Drupa. Weber mentions his experience of being a part of Drupa multiple times and his excitement about it. He highlights the significance of Drupa in the printing industry, its historical context, and its impact on the German economy. Andreas shares insights on the book he co-authored to celebrate Drupa's 40th anniversary, reflecting on the exhibition's history and its role in advancing the machinery business in Germany. Weber and Reitoft discuss various topics, including the internet's influence on trade shows and the printing industry, the importance of cross-media campaigns, and the challenges of adopting innovation in the industry. Andreas stresses the need for the industry to evolve with new business models and embrace print and digital media. Weber also points out the industry's reluctance to adopt innovative ideas, citing an example of an on-demand newspaper project that failed to gain publisher support despite clear demand. The conversation touches on the economic importance of trade shows like Drupa and the changes in visitor numbers post-COVID. They also discuss the value of print media in an increasingly digital world and the potential threats and opportunities posed by digital transformation. The interview concludes with Andreas Weber expressing the need to reanimate the pioneering spirit of Drupa's founders to support the industry's future.