HP tops global wide format rankings

Some of the glow from the recent record-breaking FESPA event has been tempered by a new survey showing that wide format printer shipments were slightly down over the past year.

According to new data from the US-based International Data Corporation (IDC), global large format printer shipments fell by about 1% year on year in the first quarter of 2015.

"Some decline in shipments was expected, however, because the speed of wide format printers is increasing, providing the capacity needed to replace older technologies with fewer new units,” said Phuong Hang, Program Director of IDC’s Worldwide Large Format Printer Tracker.

"The first quarter got the year off to a strong start with key wide format printing technologies like Latex, UV, and Eco-solvent inkjet showing nice growth overall. Latex really stood out in the quarter with shipments up over 55% compared to the first quarter of last year," said Phuong Hang, Program Director of IDC’s Worldwide Large Format Printer Tracker.

The IDC produced a ‘top five’ list of the industry’s major global vendors.

“HP is the top supplier of wide format digital printing systems worldwide. The combination of strength in the CAD/technical market, its dominance in the burgeoning Latex category, and a competitive position in the UV market give HP the top position overall.

“Canon maintained its strong number 2 position among wide format printer manufacturers with market share of 21% when Canon and Canon-Oce shipments are combined.

“Epson maintained its position as the number 3 worldwide supplier to the wide format digital printer market. Epson is seeing nice growth in the dye-sublimation and technical printers, and has re-launched its eco-solvent inkjet printer units this spring.

‘Roland is the fourth-rated supplier of wide format printers worldwide based on its strength in the eco-solvent market and growing presence in UV and dye-sublimation.

“Mimaki has grown to become the fifth largest supplier of wide format printing systems worldwide, surpassing Ricoh, which saw a decline in its wide format toner-based printer shipments,” said Hang.

A recent survey conducted by FESPA found that more than half of 1200 respondents indicated they had plans to buy digital wide format printing equipment.