At risk of muddying the water in the eternal CtP debate about thermal and violet technologies, I would like to quote from an interview recently given by Kyohei Fujisawa, the President of Media and Precision Technology of Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Company. This quote is from an interview given to the respected editor of Indian Printer and Publisher, Naresh Khanna. He interviewed Mr Fujisawa during a recent visit to the Screen headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. The following is taken from the weekly Indian Printer & Publisher Newsletter No. 101 of January 24, 2009.
"IPP: So far Screen has been manufacturing only thermal CtPs. What about violet?
Kyohei Fujisawa: We are considering the newspaper market and thinking and planning for newspapers. We may have to reconsider. I want to understand the market and for this we have to watch the market conditions. Now it seems that violet plates have a future and we are looking at machines for this market."
Now I appreciate that this is not a product announcement, but knowing Screen very well having worked with them for over twenty years, and knowing how reticent they are to make forward looking announcements, I would guess there will be a violet newspaper CtP unit coming this year. What we have been seeing, predominantly outside of North America, is that sales of violet newspaper CtP units are maintaining their lead over thermal devices in the newspaper sector. Even in North America we are seeing many of the metro size newspapers installing violet devices from Agfa and Krause, and also some smaller newspapers installing devices from alfaQuest and ECRM.
Screen does make violet CtP devices for the commercial market on an OEM basis that are sold through Agfa, and in Japan through Mitsubishi Paper Mills, but so far Screen has not made a violet CtP newspaper engine. If Screen is to introduce a violet newspaper product I would say this is being done because of the Asian markets that are still just starting on newspaper CtP, and where there are a huge number of small newspapers where the lower capital and running costs of violet units will be a key sales point. The arrival of a number of new violet plates, including some from China, as well as the new so called chemistry free plates from Agfa and Fuji are the factors that have caused Screen to re-evaluate its position. Unlike some other companies Screen is willing to change technologies if it sees that doing so will take it into new markets.
Discussion
By Naresh Khanna on Jan 25, 2009
Nice to be part of the technology discourse where us Asians need to speak up and be more articulate. Andy is quite right -- generally it is very hard to predict what Japanese companies will do and it is not yet clear whether Screen will manufacture a newspaper violet CtP or even an 8-page violet CtP that the Indian market seems to want.
However, I must say that it seemed that Mr. Fujisawa of Screen was quite flexible in his approach during this interview in late November 2008. We were mainly speaking about the Indian market which is still growing, even as far as CtP. The other important factor is that in a country with import tariffs of about 29% on litho plates, and an anti-dumping duty meant to ward off the influx of under-invoiced or seemingly under-priced mostly Chinese plates, a key factor is the local manufacture and availability of violet CtP plates. Technova under license from Agfa is now manufacturing violet CtP plates in the country and this is important for controlling costs and inventories in at least this market.
By Michael Josefowicz on Jan 25, 2009
I thought it is worth noting that while Kodak is talking about releasing their high speed inkjet, Alpha Graphics installed a Truepress Jet 520 to enable distribute and print for the UK Daily Mail and Mail On Sunday.
It's interesting that the Truepress was purchased by "Newsworld, which offers newspaper publishers 100% certifiable copies of their editions in remote locations"
The link to the article:
http://www.graphicartsonline.com/article/CA6610806.html?nid=3470&rid=219616614
It seems that Screen really is looking very closely at the newspaper market, while everyone else in Newspapers is focused on the "The Sky is Falling."
Meanwhile new players - Newsworld - are inventing a new business model based on distribute and print.
By Vito on Jan 26, 2009
I wouldn't be surprised if this part of a quid pro quo that Screen starts pushing some high volume CTP technologies licensed from Agfa (to drive violet plate sales of course) in exchange for Screen being the unofficial/official manufacturer of Agfa thermal platesetters.
By Michael Mittelhaus on Jan 29, 2009
I think it rather probable that Screen may come out with a Violet device for newspapers. on one hand. In most regions (apart US and Japan) newspaper CtP means Violet, in Europe around 80%. And Europe is still the largest market.
Screen has had a close look at the newspaper market for years, so they should understand the markets.
On the other hand, Screens seems so overwhelmingly dedicated to their digital presses, that it is not only me, that wonders, if they really have any R&D on CtP at all.
What they´ve shown on Trade fairs lately (Drupa, IFRA) created a total dedication away from CtP.
Do they really care about CtP any more, apart from having a cash cow for some years to come?
By yogesh on Jan 30, 2009
Well its a good news for a present Screen machine owners, who would never want to switch to anyother manufacturer, if Screen Manufacturers Violet CTP. Infact for screen this will probably be to re capture their own thermal CTP market through the cost efficient violet technology and keep their competitor far away.
Discussion
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