Smart Factories need powerful MIS systems to automate & communicate, where is it going? - By Geert Van Damme, CERM.

Interview in Dutch - subtitles in English. De bekende Apple-verdeler uit het straatbeeld in België en kind aan huis bij vele drukkerijen. Maar wie is de man achter de naam Lab9 en hoe ziet hij onze grafische branche verder evolueren? In deze VIGC-talks ontmoeten en spreken we met haar Ceo Geert Coolman. -- EN -- The well-known Apple distributor in Belgium and a regular at many printing companies. But who is the man behind the name Lab9 and how does he see our graphic industry evolving further? In these VIGC talks we meet and speak with its CEO Geert Coolman.

Gee Ranasinha is one of the best communicators in the industry, and you may know him from the short and precise videos he delivers on LinkedIn every Tuesday and Friday. They are essentially free learning about human behavior, how you manage your marketing, and advice about what to do and what not to do. We reached out to Ranasinha and asked him to speak at the NON-EVENT 2024 and this became one of the most recognized and spoken about presentations at the event, and now we are ready to share it with you. Enjoy. Remember to follow Gee Ranasinha on LinkedIn.

Gavin Rittmeyer talks about Martin Automatic's partnership with ETI Converting, Lemu Group, and Lundberg Tech, which saw them exhibit a complete printing and converting line at Labelexpo Americas 2024.

Gavin Chapman explains to Pat McGrew why eProductivity Software has chosen to exhibit for the first time at Hunkeler Innovationdays. Many customers looking for new hardware are often also looking for new software. Dig in, and learn for yourself!

International Sales Manager Gary Doman from GEW explains the advantages of using LED-UV and how GEW supports OEMs and the replacement market globally. With fast curing time and even higher quality on several substrates, the reason for buying a UV solution should be evident, and Gary Doman shares that the energy-saving cost (from other curing methods) practically pays for the change. This is a great story; dig in!

The media plays an immense role in the printing industry, and the trade-shows often rely on the promotion, marketing, and coverage of the trade-shows. However, the media also benefit from this symbiosis. Has the current situation with postponed and cancelled events influenced the media and the vendors' ability to get the information across to the PSP's? And with the new reality, will this be an opportunity or a threat to the trade media?

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gandhi-babu-59b57216/

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-gomez-291649145/

Oyama Fumiya with K.K. Irisu, a Japanese graphics supplier is in the DURST Demonstration Center for the first time. He explains his excitement as he has just sold his first DURST press and is looking to sell more into a hungry market. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fumiya-oyama-7469aa20b/

Kerry Labatt has been with Prisma Graphic in Phoenix for years but with five different positions/roles and has thrived with the company's growth. Visiting Prisma Graphic is truly interesting - the shielding between the entrance and reception area to the customer service people is one long arc with super nice samples of print done by Prisma Graphic - and they are GOOD. The company excels in several types of print, from offset to web-offset, to various types of digital print from inkjet to toner, and the facility is WELL laid out. We are visiting Prisma Graphic as they use Hunkeler equipment and their Screen 520 Truejet device - and Hunkeler kindly sponsored this film. Super nice company, and great to see a company that keeps investing in technology. In the film, you will learn how Kerry Labatt sees investments and when the time is right to do new ones! Enjoy!

INKISH Editor & CEO Morten B. Reitoft was invited to Stockholm to give a presentation on Why and How to Use Video in your Communication. We filmed everything, and here is the presentation. The presentation takes almost an hour, but hopefully, you will enjoy, and hopefully, you can learn. That was the intention. Great day ahead!

Fujifilm's PR company also visited the Peak Performance Print Experience event, AD Communication - represented by Tom Platt. But what does a PR company do? And can a communications specialist also be passionate about technology? Well, listen to what Tom Platt has to say! LinkedIn Profile.

I don't know if the following is 100% accurate. Still, it seems that after Fujifilm and Xerox terminated their partnership, the Fujifilm engineers have worked harder than ever to bring new and exciting products to the market. In this film, I talk to General Manager Scott P. Mackie about the new Revoria B2 toner press, and the inkjet-based Continues Feed printer 1160CF. Enjoy the story and the others already on INKISH.TV.

In the suburbs of Brussels in Belgium, you find Fujifilm Europes facility for education and demos, and INKISH was invited to go there to talk to Head of Digital Solutions EMEA Taro Aoki. Like always, we love these conversations since the length allows us to discuss in details. In this conversation, this takes us from German cars vs—Japanese cars to why the Fujifilm 720/750 is such a good match for many offset printers. Taro Aoki also talks about some of the things he believes Fujifilm could bring to market in the future. As usual. Enjoy!

Henning Rose from Wegner in Bremen, Germany, recently won the Innovation Print Award at a Fujifilm event for an exceptional book project, securing second place in the brochures category and the Global Award for their book. The award is significant for their digital print shop, which specializes in niche projects and uses advanced digital printing systems, including Fujifilm Jetpress and Revorias. The winning book featured intricate details like a transparent foil cover and a keyhole cutout, showcasing their technical expertise. The project, produced on three digital systems, was completed in about eight weeks. This recognition enhances their reputation and is valuable for marketing and attracting new customers.

Our beloved host Pat McGrew travels the world, and in this episode, she brings you wonderfull print samples from a Fuji-Xerox user event in Japan. Pat McGrew is clearly impressed by the samples that not only showcases the technology used but also plays an important role in engaging the participants at the event.

As part of our California Cruising tour, we visited Lahlouh in San Francisco. That was an interesting visit, not only because of the company's technology - ranging from Xerox over Heidelberg to EFI, Horizon, and tons of other equipment but also because Lahlouh is a truly family-operated and owned printing company. The company has a commitment to its customers is second-to-none. With an ever-optimistic approach and willingness to develop new products and services, Lahlouh is in the hotspot of why print has a long and amazing future. Enjoy! LinkedIn Profiles: Catherine Lahlouh https://www.linkedin.com/in/lahlouh/ Tony Lahlouh https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-lahlouh-49b20535/

Welcome back to Tactiful Tuesdays! In Episode 9, I’m chatting with the talented Kendra Roberson, a soon-to-be Cal Poly Graphic Communication program graduate. Kendra shares her journey from being a high school graphic design enthusiast to exploring the vast world of print, digital embellishments, and industry networking. We dive into:- How mentorship and industry events shaped her career path- The power of networking in the print & digital space- The role of digital embellishments in accessibility and design- Hands-on experiences at drupa, TAGA, and EPS Connect- Her work with DCR Design and LA Metro. Plus, when available for hire, she shares key advice for aspiring designers. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with someone making big moves in the industry. Connect with Kendra:Email: Kendraroberson03@gmail.comLinkedIn: Kendra Roberson

We've been with SO many printing companies over the years, and though amiable people meet 99% of the time - this one will be something special. Not just because of the superior technology and the products they produce. Not only because you see a company is investing in technology like the gigantic Massivit 3D printer. Not only because the company also invests in the creative side of events (we get to see how they work while here) but also because of the warm people working with CamAd in Toronto. Dan Deveau is highly genuine, open-minded, and friendly, but he touched me when I met his father. Bob Deveau has undoubtedly been a focused businessman. However, handing over the printing company to his son, and still at a high age, almost daily coming to the office to be around and participate in the business decisions, is lovely. Still, it also shows why CamAd is a company where everybody knows each other and does not just SAY family values but live family values. All the above said, Dan Deveau and his team operate a company where they still (but less) work screen printing (analog) but have taken strategic measures to become a digital company with strong craftsmanship - Dan Deveau is not a believer in automation, and you can see that the manual approach does its advantages - for example in how media is handled, but enough written. Watch the film, listen and learn - absolutely one of the better in my mind!

In this episode of The Digital Embellishment Show, host Kevin Abergel talks with print industry visionary David Drucker, also known as the “Guru of Printing.” Renowned for his innovative use of materials and exquisite finishing techniques, David takes us through his most jaw-dropping luxury print projects—including a copper-embossed, safari-inspired book and box set that truly pushes the boundaries of print craftsmanship. What You’ll Learn: How David evolved from a musician to a master printer in New York City The power of combining traditional print methods with modern digital enhancements Why embossing, engraving, and digital foiling can transform everyday print pieces into works of art Insider tips for designing projects with short-run, high-impact embellishments How to collaborate with suppliers, engravers, and clients to bring complex visions to life Plus, David shares his family’s legacy in print and reveals how his creative experimentation leads to must-see projects that captivate clients and win awards. Subscribe for more episodes of The Digital Embellishment Show, where we celebrate the latest trends and innovators in print technology. Connect with David Drucker: David at GuruofPrinting.com Follow Kevin & Taktiful for more insights into digital embellishments, luxury print, and beyond!

Horizon presents nothing less than 21 end-to-end solutions; all targeted to different applications and all very real scenarios for the thousands of IGAS attendees. In this film, we talk to Muneki Ban from Horizon International. He shows us a setup that is actually two solutions. The first half is fed with up to B1 sheets, which are folded into typically 16-pages signatures, and where the signatures are moved to the pallet using a robot solution. The second half of the setup in this film is where the signatures are placed in a machine gathering the signatures into book blocks, moved on a conveyor to the BQ500 binding solution, and finally, using a three-knife trimmer delivering finished books - and all handled with only one operator. The solution can even be extended with AGVs that can drive the pallets from a printing press to the feeder and the folded signatures to the gatherer - simply amazing and extremely productive!

In this episode of Taktiful Tuesdays, we sit down with industry veteran Ken Huizenga, a print production expert with over 40 years of hands-on experience. Ken has seen everything from running sheet-fed presses in the ‘80s to embracing cutting-edge digital print and embellishment technology. We dive into: - How print production has evolved over the decades - The growing demand for faster turnaround times and higher-quality print - The role of digital embellishments in shaping the future of print - The skills modern press operators need to succeed - Why preventative maintenance is key to keeping your press running smoothly And on a fun note, we also talk car racing, whiskey, and the thrill of going fast—on and off the press!

To establish a smart factory a digital mindset and 360-degree business solutions are needed. We present our interpretation of a smart factory with the goal of full automation of repetitive task and a self-optimizing production. The scope is not limited to the digitalization of production and print data workflows or to automate production lines with smart and connected machines but includes the sales process, customer communication and enterprise resource planning. To make it tangible, we discuss a potential end-2-end business solution using the example of a personalized face mask and cookie box from the creation of a business idea to the shipped product – from Pixel to Output.