(Norwell, MA, USA) March 28, 2001… CAP Ventures today announced that it has launched a European version of its large format printing consulting activities that track and forecast technologies in the large format graphics and CAD environments and the new sector of large format electronic displays. Chosen to lead the consulting focus in Europe is Val Hirst, who will provide coverage in these European large format market sectors as Senior Analyst. She has spent the last decade as editor of two of the leading sign and commercial graphics magazines in the UK. Hirst is widely acknowledged as an expert in the sign market and its growing embrace of digital printing technologies. She will report to David Williamson, director of the Visual Communications Technologies Consulting Service at CAP Ventures. "The European opportunity in the large format market is immense, accounting for more than one-third of worldwide sales. Our decision to launch this additional consulting focus increases our ability to meet clients’ needs to develop product and business plans to leverage the potential of these opportunities across Europe," said Williamson. CAP Ventures estimates the current size of the European large format market, both CAD and graphics, to be $1.6 billion (USD.) In the all-important large format graphics segment, CAP Ventures projects healthy growth from $899.7 million last year to $1.48 billion by 2004. Formally named Visual Communications Technologies Consulting Service – Europe, the new unit within CAP Ventures provides market research, forecasting and strategic counsel to leading vendors of hardware, supplies and systems integration in both the large format digital printing and large format electronic display markets. Clients access the experience of CAP Ventures’ analysts and consultants in a number of ways. Published content includes newsletters, analysis reports, white papers and primary research. Both Williamson and Hirst will be supporting clients also with consulting activities related to the development of business strategies, new product development and annual strategic and marketing plans.