German offset manufacturing titans scramble to lock down inkjet alliances, following a whirlwind of local and global partner switch-ups. Manroland web systems inks a newsprint deal with Kodak for its Prosper inkjet heads, while over the fence Heidelberg and Fujifilm work toward a September deadline on their own inkjet label collaboration.
The moves sees the Augsberg-based company become the leading direct reseller of the Kodak Prosper S20 and S30 for webfed presses. The integrated inkjet system is geared at highly variable data in newspaper production, and has already found success with early adopters. According to Dieter Betzmeier (pictured), vice president technology and order processing, manroland web systems, the ongoing partnership over the inkjet technology will bring added value for manroland customers.
"Print customers around the world can obtain the print head and overall project management for the integrated inkjet from us. We have already successfully proven that we can upgrade webfeed printing systems from all major manufacturers with an inkjet function," said Betzmeier.
The new in-house development with the Kodak heads is offered in a continuous workflow from prepress through to printed product. Betzmeier explains that, when fully integrated, the inkjet application even creates no extra work for the operator.
He adds, "Customers can select the automation level that suits their needs, from a simple integration through to full automation where the inkjet module is completely integrated into the press control."
Eric Owen, vice president sales and business development, Kodak, says the graphics arts supplier is confident that the new closer partnership will place the technology in safe hands.
"We appreciate the technological and engineering experience that manroland web systems brings to the partnership. They understand how to correctly install printing heads, control micro-movements and make fine adjustments. This results in an accurately positioned print head and highly precise prints," says Owen.
As part of the new partnership, manroland web systems offers technical consultation, installation and start-up as part of its global inkjet service.