Fujifilm NZ picks up Screen agency from Coates

The agency transfer follows similar moves in the USA and Germany where Fujifilm has absorbed the Screen range of products into its graphic arts division as part of an expanded direct representation role in the industry.

According to Ian Gibson, national business manager Fujifilm NZ graphic arts division, the New Zealand agency will produce a better result for Screen and its customers. “They will be with a company that is solely focused on the graphic arts. It will strengthen their position as well as ensuring Fujifilm has a very strong stable of products,” he said.

All Screen staff will move over to the new company bringing to 13 Fujifilm’s graphic division complement, in addition to “a plethora of subcontractors” in New Zealand. Graham Blackall will transfer across taking the role of electronic sales manager, bringing with him his two technical support personnel, Andy Frey and Peter Whittle.

The move comes at a time of good successes for Fujifilm in its CTP sales. Since Christmas more than ten units have gone into the New Zealand market, including six VX9600 to APN. This is not counting the eight Krause units sold to Fairfax. In addition four A1s and two B2 size machines have been placed in commercial printers.

Screen’s line-up will produce little duplication with the existing range of Fujifilm CTP engines. Gibson believes customers usually have clearly-defined preferences as to whether they consider violet light or thermal to be the appropriate technology. In the main he sees large plate users such as newspapers being attracted to violet light while high volume commercial printers such as GEON, PMP and Blue Star are more likely to go thermal.

In the past Fujifilm has sold Screen products under an OEM arrangement and there is little doubt the new alignment will see the two companies work ever more closely together.

Fujifilm Australia has recently taken control of its graphics division, bringing it in house from IPP. Screen has a direct stand-alone presence in the Australian market where in recent years it has done without a distributor. So far there is no indication the head office driven alignment agenda between the two companies will have an impact on the Australian operations.

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