Indusrty news from the region & around the world

Scodix, the world’s leading provider of digital finishing and embellishment solutions for the graphic arts industry, has announced a milestone today as it celebrates the sale of its 400th Digital Enhancement Press to Curtis Packaging in Connecticut, USA.

Curtis Packaging invested in the latest evolution of the Scodix Ultra 6000 Press, now powered by SHD. Developed for embellishment for the packaging industry with its B1/41-inch format, the Ultra 6000 system also allows thicker substrates and incorporates industrial pallet feeders and stackers. Scodix SHD (Smart High Definition) algorithmcontrolled digital printing achieves high accuracy and quality precision of complicated detailing for foiling, spot embellishments and micro fonts.

The milestone sale exemplifies the cross sector and mainstream appeal Scodix sees, with installs in every sector of the print industry and now a significant increase in business from the packaging sector, particularly over the last two years with the launch of the Ultra 5000 and 6000 Presses.

“Brands are fighting to be noticed on the shelves – be it a bricks and mortar store or an online retailer – and connecting with customers during the unboxing experience of eCommerce had become a crucial part of the perception of a brand,” states Eli Grinberg, Scodix CEO. “Embellishments are playing a larger role in that initial impact. Scodix is well positioned for printers and converters to embellish any size job while caring for the economics of business and our environment.” Anstadt Communications is another business that has invested in Scodix, representing those who have used the value-added experience achieved with Scodix enhancement to aid business growth. An integrated marketing and graphics communications company with headquarters in York, Pennsylvania, President and CEO, Matt Doran, comments on his experience of Scodix: “The additional value Scodix offered has been appreciated by many customers. Some will clearly state ‘Scodix actually opened doors to new business on our behalf. Scodix allowed us to get into places, and, once we were inside, people listened to us – but it was Scodix that got us in there. Scodix was the key’.”

With Grinberg as a co-founder, Scodix was founded in 2007 and made its debut at Ipex in 2010 offering the market a unique digital technology for adding tactile spot varnish that transformed the embellishment market at that time. In 2017, Scodix launched the market’s first digital B1 format embellishment solution for the packaging market.

Since then, the company has become an industry standard. Continuing the evolution of its technology, with a market-leading ten embellishments available on just one platform, and a portfolio of six digital enhancement presses in its Ultra series, heralding the 400th sale should come as no surprise to the industry. #Scodified has even become a popular term throughout social media channels for embellishment of printed products.

“It’s a landmark achievement for Scodix, 400 systems sold is no mean feat, which I can attest to, having been here for the journey and seeing Scodix succeed in its mission to digitalize embellishment!” states Grinberg. “The milestone attests to Scodix’ position as a mainstream application in all sectors of the print industry, particularly the recognition we’ve now attained in packaging because of the productivity, economics and sustainability of our solution.”

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The unprecedented inflation of the costs of raw material, utilities and labor, finance charges and business services felt by the industry globally have necessitated the increase to alleviate these rapidly increasing costs also experienced by Miraclon.

“Securing supply for our customers and continuing development of innovative technology that can help them meet the demands of their clients while countering price pressures remain our top priorities,” comments Chris Payne, Miraclon CEO. “Unfortunately, price increases to alleviate rapidly increasing procurement and energy costs are becoming a routine part of business for most companies, with no sign of relief in the foreseeable future. We are doing everything we can to drive internal efficiencies that mitigate the effects on our customers and are working with them to help pass these unavoidable increases on through the value chain.”

XSYS has informed its customers today of a price increase on all ThermoFlexX products and spare parts. This decision has been a direct consequence of the critical global economic situation which continues to drive-up costs for the XSYS prepress equipment division.

While raw materials, energy and other input costs already rose between 10% and 20% throughout 2021, double-digit percentage inflation has continued in 2022, further

compounding the financial pressures on the sector. More specifically, the following areas are severely affecting XSYS:

Steel and plastics: Supply shortages are still present and pricing is inflated accordingly in order to secure suitable quality materials. Electronics: Global shortages of parts and supply chain issues have continued into 2022.

Energy: Volatile gas and electricity prices are affecting production costs and raw materials, with no let-up in sight.

Logistics: All routes, but particularly sea freight, remain affected. The pricing is consistently higher than 2021 and subject to various surcharges. “We have been working very hard to mitigate these huge pressures by implementing numerous efficiency improvements, qualifying alternative suppliers, and enforcing aggressive cost control measures. Unfortunately, the extraordinary and persistent inflation levels now leave us no other option than to proceed with the implementation of these price increases,” said Friedrich von Rechteren, Global Commercial VP at XSYS.

The increases comprise 10% across ThermoFlexX imagers and ThermoFlexX Catena equipment, while spare parts and service agreements will see a 20% rise, as they have been excluded from previous increases. All increases will be effective starting 27 October 2022.

“We certainly understand that higher prices will add to the already difficult situation for our customers, but given the current market conditions we have little choice but to pass on a portion of these significant increases in order to secure an uninterrupted and reliable supply of XSYS equipment,” he concluded.

Let’s talk about the state of our Packaging industry post pandemic. What to look out for moving forward. The SHIFT 2022 Packaging Conference.

No doubting it, our industry in under pressure, not from print job volumes, but by the ever-increasing cost of our production supplies, like film, board, plates, inks, freight, wages and other increases that we are being subjected to. Every business today is in the same boat, and this is not just a packaging issue. But we honestly only care about the costs that effect our business post pandemic in our industry.

What can we do to help elevate some of these costs with careful and correct purchases. How willing are supply companies wanting to work with you! By changing suppliers on consumables (for example) due to cheaper prices, is it really going to help long term?. What about workflow, can that help save you costs. Is that cheaper machine purchase going to be the right investment you need at this stage.

We are having the SHIFT 22 conference in Bangkok on December the 8th and will try to address these issues and many others as well. The one-day event will bring back (for our 19th year) industry leaders so you can hear from people and companies who have the answers. Network with other companies who like you need to find these ways forward.

Following the one day “intensive” SHIFT conference we will hold the industries only regional Asian Packaging Excellence Awards dinner, where we showcase the quality packaging companies who have been awarded Gold Silver and Bronze in the 2022 competition, always a highlight of the year. Register and book your seat booked today for the 2022 SHIFT conference and also get your best printed work ready to enter in the Awards Competition. Nothing says it better than being a winning quality packaging printer in Asia. And nothing helps more than you having the right information for your business moving forward.