French-based digital graphic technology business opens new distribution channel to the local market after its Ferrostaal cooperation ends. Agfa Australia has already sent two of its engineers to France to be trained in the servicing of MGI’s digital varnishing and finishing equipment in a move that represents a significant product addition for the plate supplier.
The MGI range of digital embellishers with four new product announcements at IPEX, is up against Scodix digital embellishers sold here by Currie Group.
The development is likely to see more activity in the growing digital finishing market as more printers see the benefit in adding varnishing and foiling value to the printed output. The deployment of digital finishing completes the production of print through digital technology.
The publicly listed MGI, originally owned by the three Abergel brothers, is expanding its range of equipment to include digital hot foil embossing as well as a 3D option for its Jet Varnish machine. An upgrade to its core graphic printing product, the Meteor DP 8700 XL+, will be launched this year using a new 1200mm format allowing the printing of up to six A4 sheets along with the capacity to process carton and card up to 400 gsm (300 gsm duplex).
Other new products launched at IPEX include the DF Pro, an inline finishing line that is rated faster than the Meteor printing engine; the iFoil that brings high-end embellishment to inline digital print finishing; the Jet Varnish 3D Evolution T with options to increase the number of rows of inkjet heads to allow up to 300 micron imaging in one pass and the Jet Varnish 3D Barcode Reader.
Konica Minolta executives were a significant presence at MGI’s IPEX press conference, underlining the strategic agreement between the two companies signed earlier this year when the Japanese manufacturer took up ten percent of MGI stock. Despite the agreement specifying cooperation in development, marketing and distribution in selected markets, Agfa represented a better fit for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
According to Michael Abergel, managing director, (home page) the two companies already work together in Switzerland. He believes Agfa’s access to a wide range of commercial printers through its plate distribution will give it a better market position.
The Konica MInolta deal will involve the development of such product as printed electronics following on from MGI’s acquisition in 2012 of industrial print development company, Ceradrop.