The European TransPromo Summit proved to be a major success, bringing together 315 attendees and 22 sponsoring companies. The truly international audience was made up of attendees from The U.K., France, Greece, Spain, Germany, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Croatia and Slovenia, United States, Italy and others. The inaugural event, held at the Square Brussels Meeting Centre in Belgium last week, was organized by 4IT Group and InfoTrends. The summit was information-packed and provided attendees with valuable business insights, information on industry and technology trends, detailed case studies, and innovative business opportunities. The event also provided attendees and sponsors with several opportunities to network with industry peers.
“There is no question about the interest in the TransPromo Market in Europe. The conference was over-subscribed and participants were not disappointed,” commented Barb Pellow, Group Director at InfoTrends. “In a struggling economy this event was strong and created very positive energy levels throughout the 2 days.”
Day one of the conference kicked off with a state of the industry address focused on the TransPromo value proposition, its current state in Europe, and a view into future opportunities. The program continued with keynote presentations on “Powering TransPromo - Hardware a Critical Enabler” and “Planning for TransPromo Success.” Keynote speakers included industry leaders from Belgian Post, DST Output, GMC, HP, InfoPrint Solutions, Kodak, Océ, and Xeikon.
“It is evident that TransPromo’s time has come,” commented Enrico Barboglio, President, 4IT Group. “There was a tremendous industry buzz from companies that are leveraging the power of bold design, vibrant color and variable data to transform bills and statements into highly individualized customer marketing communications.”
“Conference content was superb, and I believe the sessions were well received by everyone,” commented Roberta McKee-Jackson, Director of Operations, Xplor UK & Ireland. “There was a lot to be learned and presenting the marketing as well as the technology tracks was beneficial to all.”
“I enjoyed the event tremendously with high quality content and a very well managed conference. The insights gained will translate into improved business decisions and help to shape our strategic direction,” stated Bill Parker, CMO, GMC Software AG. “The time I spent was well worth the investment.”
Plans for the 2010 European TransPromo Summit are underway and will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Due to the success of the event many sponsors have already signed up for next year. Sponsorship opportunities are now being accepted for 2010. For more information, please contact Jason Russell at +44 1582 400120 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Valentina Carnevali at +39 02 26927081 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Velmex Distribution leading Large Format Printer distributor for Canon UK, welcomed Canon directors, senior management and partners for a showroom opening at their newly acquired premises in Mitcham, Surrey. The showroom is now thought to be the biggest Canon large format printer demonstration facility in the UK.
Velmex Distribution the leading distributor for Canon large format printers celebrated the opening of a showroom facility in their new premises on Willow Lane Industrial Park in Mitcham, Surrey. The premises comprises of a much larger office and warehousing space as well as an impressive 30ft demonstration suite and showroom, filled with Canon’s full range of printers, making it the largest Canon LFP showroom in the UK.
The showroom opening was attended by two Canon Directors; Mr Yuichi Miyano, Director LFP Solutions for Canon Europe as well as Matthew Seale, Director, Canon Partner Channel, Canon UK & Ireland.
By opening the showroom Velmex Distribution demonstrates a strong level of confidence in Canon’s products and market direction in a difficult financial climate. Velmex Distribution has worked closely with Canon since 2001, together developing the sales channel and improving the value proposition collectively offered. Matthew Searle Canon UK Directory said “Our partnership with Velmex over the last 8 years has been a model of how a vendor and distributor partnership should work”.
Mr Yuichi Miyano, Director LFP Solutions for Canon Europe visited Velmex Distribution for the first time at the opening. He was suitably impressed by the facilities and said “Velmex’s expertise is highly regarded by Canon and recognised as far a field as Canon Inc in Japan,” The launch of the showroom coincides with Velmex Distribution’s recent Fogra certification for engineer, Daniel Judge, further proof of the service Velmex are intent on providing.
The impressive facilities are at the forefront of the move to Mitcham, “We desperately needed more space both for warehousing, office and showroom facilities. Says Mark Keeley, Managing Director for Velmex Distribution “The premises offers us all of this” The showroom is believed to be the largest Canon LFP showroom in the country and the only of its kind to offer all the Canon LFP line up as well as the C1+ a new light production printer in Velmex Distribution’s portfolio.
The showroom, filled with Canon’s range of Image PROGRAF printers and the Canon C1+, is smartly painted in slate grey, and provides a large boardroom table and presentation display system for meetings. The facilities offer customers the chance to see the products and have their own output printed before they invest. Shane Burchett, LFP Channel Development Manager said, “It’s wonderful to see a showroom with all our products so impressively displayed, it gives us a fantastic facility in the South East to showcase our printers and with Velmex’s technical expertise it provides our channel with an exceptional tool”
The 2009 SGIA Expo not only showcased the most innovative technologies in the specialty imaging industry, but also promoted sustainable imaging solutions with its Recycling Initiative and Expo signs.
Earlier this month, SGIA arranged for all recyclable media to be picked up from exhibitors’ booths and delivered directly to the recycling center on the Expo floor. Once all of the recyclable media was collected and sorted, the material was directed back into domestic extrusion rather than exported for incineration or unknown applications. SGIA collected a total of 15,987 pounds of material.
"All of the parties that participated in the Initiative should be commended," said Brett Thompson, director of environmental affairs at Laird Plastics, who managed the program. "Thank you to YRC, Shepard Exposition Services, SBC Recycling and all of the exhibiting companies who assisted in making the Expo Recycling Initiative a success."
Sustainable initiatives also took place throughout the Expo lobby and in the aisles. Value Vinyls, a supplier of digital and screen-printing media, donated EcoLogic material for the Expo lobby banners. EcoLogic, which debuted at the show, is an entirely PVC-free, 100 percent recyclable frontlit material that is durable enough for long-term outdoor applications, yet smooth enough for close-up views of indoor signage.
ConVerd, an environmentally sustainable substrate provider, donated Enviroboard MR (moisture resistant) for all of the aisle signs. Also introduced at the Expo, Enviroboard MR is a rigid, moisture-resistant, 100 percent recyclable board alternative to traditional foam core and corrugated plastic boards.
Xerox Corporation announced today third-quarter 2009 results that include earnings per share of 14 cents and $610 million in operating cash flow.
"Our third-quarter performance reflects our continued disciplined approach to managing cash and reducing costs," said Ursula M. Burns, Xerox chief executive officer. "As a result, we exceeded our expectations for earnings and operating cash flow, and are benefiting from operational improvements that are mitigating the economic challenges."
The company reported third-quarter total revenue of $3.7 billion, down 16 percent from third-quarter 2008 including a 2 point negative impact from currency. Post-sale and financing revenue was down 11 percent, or 9 percent in constant currency. Equipment sale revenue declined 29 percent, or 28 percent in constant currency.
"Just as we are closely managing costs, our customers are doing the same and we have not seen a meaningful shift towards increased spending on technology," she added. "For many of our business clients – small to large – there remains a hesitancy to invest until more economic factors show signs of steady improvement. We expect this trend will continue to put pressure on revenue for the balance of the year.
"At the same time, we're winning new business from clients who want to reduce their cost base through our industry-leading managed print services," said Burns. "Scaling our services business has long been a strategic focus. The growth opportunity is significant, customers are demanding more service-related value, and the multi-year contracts provide profitable recurring revenue. These factors give us confidence in the strategic and financial rationale for acquiring Affiliated Computer Services. With this acquisition and the benefits of our existing annuity-based business, we'll deliver significant revenue growth, cash and earnings expansion."
Third-quarter operating cash flow was $610 million. Through the third quarter, the company has generated $1.2 billion in operating cash flow, and, as a result, has increased its expectation for the full year to $1.7 billion. Xerox ended the third quarter with a cash balance of $1.2 billion. Total debt was down $938 million through the first three quarters, and the company is on track to reduce total debt by more than $1 billion this year.
Gross margin was 39.8 percent in the third quarter, an increase of over half a point from the prior year. Third-quarter selling, administrative and general expenses were down year over year by $131 million and SAG as a percent of revenue was 27.4 percent.
Xerox expects fourth-quarter 2009 earnings per share in the range of 20 cents to 22 cents, excluding costs related to the acquisition of ACS. The company has increased its full-year earnings expectations to 55 cents to 57 cents per share, which excludes fourth-quarter ACS acquisition related costs. Prior guidance for full-year 2009 was 50 cents to 55 cents per share.
This release discusses revenue growth using a measure noted as "Constant Currency" that excludes the effects of currency translation. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of this release for a discussion of these non-GAAP measures. In addition, fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 EPS has been provided without including fourth-quarter ACS acquisition related costs, which cannot be specifically quantified at this time.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs, assumptions and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include but are not limited to: the unprecedented volatility in the global economy; the risk that unexpected costs will be incurred; the outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings to which we may be a party; actions of competitors; changes and developments affecting our industry; quarterly or cyclical variations in financial results; development of new products and services; interest rates and cost of borrowing; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; our ability to maintain and improve cost efficiency of operations, including savings from restructuring actions; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in economic conditions, political conditions, trade protection measures, licensing requirements and tax matters in the foreign countries in which we do business; reliance on third parties for manufacturing of products and provision of services; the risk that the future business operations of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. ("ACS") will not be successful; the risk that customer retention and revenue expansion goals for the ACS transaction will not be met; the risk that disruptions from the ACS transaction will harm relationships with customers, employees and suppliers; and other factors that are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section, the "Legal Proceedings" section, the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section and other sections of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 and our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law.
Xerox and ACS urge investors and security holders to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available because it will contain important information. You may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Xerox and ACS, without charge, at the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, when available, without charge, from Xerox's website, http://www.xerox.com, under the heading "Investor Relations" and then under the heading "SEC Filings". You may also obtain these documents, without charge, from ACS's website, http://www.acs-inc.com, under the tab "Investor Relations" and then under the heading "SEC Filings". Information regarding participants or persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction is contained in Xerox's proxy statement for its most recent annual meeting and ACS's proxy statement for its most recent annual meeting, both as filed with the SEC.
FUJIFILM Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc., is reporting an increase in sales and sales inquiries in the weeks following the PRINT 09 Show. The company attributes the upturn to substantial investments in R&D, strategic partnerships and acquisitions.
With industry-leading businesses that include Fujifilm Sericol, Fujifilm Dimatix, and Fuji Xerox as partners, Fujifilm Graphic Systems is able to leverage advances in printing and graphic arts technology that provide customers with opportunities to profit in the evolving printing marketplace.
"At PRINT 09, our customers saw the fruits of our investments, including the North American debut of the new Fujifilm Inkjet Digital Press - a culmination of the collaboration among Fujifilm group companies," said Masahiro Ota, president and chief executive officer of FUJIFILM Graphics U.S.A. "Together with the Inca Onset S20 and Fujifilm Sericol's leading ink technologies, as centerpieces in Fujifilm's exhibit booth, we have never seen a more positive response from customers and prospective buyers."
According to Mr. Ota, in selecting Fujifilm, printers are choosing a partner that has the financial health and strength not only to guide their businesses, but to also lead the industry.
A leading securities firm, Mizuho Securities, recently upgraded its recommendation for Fujifilm's stock. The analyst observed that Fujifilm was, "now more likely to achieve record-high profits in fiscal 2011/12." (Forbes/Reuters) This assessment of Fujifilm's strength speaks to the success of the company's diversification into new businesses, and to its ability to reinvigorate traditional businesses by identifying high potential opportunities within their markets.
In Fujifilm's most recent report to shareholders, Graphic Arts was called out as one of the company's five priority business fields for growth, listing the following objectives for its print businesses:
• Fujifilm's continuous R&D investment in the printing and graphic arts business. • Employ Fujifilm and Fuji Xerox's inkjet and xerography technologies and effectively coordinating such management resources as marketing channels and brand values in the digital printing market. • Aim for the top global market share for CTP plates.
In the face of the current economic challenges, Fujifilm remains committed to leveraging its heritage in the printing and graphic arts field to introduce new solutions for profitable revenue generation.
"While it may seem counterintuitive or even a bit intimidating, economic climates such as the current one do offer business owners an opportunity to grow," said Mr. Ota. "This kind of growth requires both a focus on what's most important: cash flow, cost control, expansion of services and capabilities and effective marketing, as well as having a strong and reliable partner like Fujifilm.
"Our theme at the Print 09 show was 'In Control.' That's what we do, especially in times of economic uncertainty, help our customers remain in control and stay focused on what's most important to their businesses."
You can already find a number of news stories on LFR that have been submitted by proud recipients of a prestigious DPIA Product of the Year award, that were issued at the recent SGIA Expo in New Orleans.
To ensure the less PR-savvy of the winners get their moment in the spotlight, LFR are delighted to bring you the winners list in its entirity...
Digital Inks: Roland DGA Corporation - Metallic Silver Ink
RIP Software and Proofing Software: Caldera Graphics - GrandRIP+ with Adobe PDF Print Engine
Media-Paper: Ultraflex Systems Inc. - Limelight 4.8
Media-Vinyl: Dreamscape - DreamScape Bling!
Media-Films: Xcel Products Inc. - Visual Magnetics Write-On Chalkboard
Grand Format Roll-to-Roll-Solvent & Latex inks: Roland DGA Corporation - Advanced JET AJ-1000i
Grand Format Roll-to-Roll-UV cure ink: Durst Image Technology US LLC - Rho 500R
Direct to Garment Inkjet Printers: Kornit Digital - Kornit 932NDS
All of the entries were showcased and evaluated by a team of digital imaging professionals during the 2009 SGIA Expo (New Orleans, October 7-9) in the Golden Image Gallery.
Now we could be wrong, but we think a number of these award-winning products are not even sold in the UK, or if they are, someone is keeping it quieter than they ought to. Perhaps there is an opportunity there for someone?
