Fujifilm shows off its stuff in Bangkok

Fujifilm's Bangkok showroom may be the key to enhancing its stake in the wide format inkjet market.

The showroom, which opened late January this year, was described by the company as an investment that would allow printers throughout the Asia Pacific to access the latest machines and ink systems, while also doubling as a local showroom for Fujifilm in Thailand.

"A full support and service package is a must, including engineering, colour profiling and software training," said Jeff Hand, Asia Pacific director for Fujifilm Sericol. "The new facility in Bangkok enables customers within the region to experience this first-hand."

Tim Jackson, sales director, said that though it was early days, there had already been considerable interest in the show room. "So far, we have had two demonstrations from Thailand and one from Singapore," he said. "It's all going as expected."

Pictured, (L-R): Jeff Hand - Asia Pacific director, Fujifilm Sericol; Nobuaki Inoue - corporate vice president, FUJIFILM Corporation; Ed Carhart - CEO, Fujifilm Sericol and Masaya Seki - operations manager - graphic systems business division, FUJIFILM corporation.

Next on Fujifim's agenda is the opening of a similar showroom in the US in coming weeks, with the chance of a showroom also being opened in Hong Kong. "It all comes down to spacing, but we do plan to expand," Jackson said.

Fujifilm has had its eye on the wide format inkjet sector over the past two years, with the acquisitions of Sericol, Avecia and Dimatix all being key to strengthening this interest. Hand believes that initiatives such as the Bangkok showroom are helping to put the company on track to continue working towards this goal. "Fujifilm Sericol has extensive experience in ink manufacture as well as selling wide format inkjet printers," he said. "Together we can help guide our customers into the new business opportunities presented by wide format inkjet."