Amsterdam, - Print service providers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa now have easier access to industry-leading print systems following Mimaki's establishment of an EMEA operation. To that end, Mimaki Europe has engaged new team members in sales, internet marketing, warranty and tech support. This expanded set-up of Mimaki Europe will help extend Mimaki's reach into EMEA.

Mimaki decided to bolster its European set-up following a surge in demand after successfully launching a raft of innovative products during 2012, and generating strong sales and leads at key European trade shows.

Mimaki impresses at key exhibitions

In February, Mimaki attended FESPA Digital and unveiled the JV400-130/160LX – the world's first environmentally friendly latex printer using white ink, impressing visitors with its high-speed, high-quality output and capability to print on a wide range of substrates. The company simultaneously introduced the JV400SUV series, which proved a major talking point, with delegates impressed with the system's flexibility in offering solvent printing with the durability of UV-cured inks.

In May, Mimaki exhibited at Europe's premier print show, drupa. The company presented a number of innovative products, including the JFX500-2131, a next-generation UV-LED flatbed inkjet printer with production speeds up to 60m2/h.

In September, Mimaki signalled its move into the photography market when it showcased its latest innovations at Photokina. The company demonstrated the UJF-6042, a  new A2 format flatbed LED UV printer with high end precise quality, making it ideal for printing images on photo albums or other special materials with photo-like quality. The A3 format UJF-3042 desktop flatbed LED UV inkjet printer was also in the spotlight. Attendees were impressed with how both systems can print photos on virtually any substrate – like iPhone and iPad covers – without any need for priming.

Later in September, Mimaki underlined its green credentials with its attendance at EcoPrint, a sustainability-based trade show. The UJF-3042 was again on show, and was lauded for its small environmental footprint and long-life, energy-efficient LED curing. Meanwhile the JV400-LX series was praised by delegates for delivering high-quality print with a low CO2 footprint.

And at the end of September, Mimaki took a whistle-stop tour of Eastern Europe, where it successfully launched its SWJ-320 grand-format printers. The company exhibited at Reklama (Moscow, Russia), Grafima (Belgrade, Serbia) and T-REX (Kiev, Ukraine).

Industry awards recognise Mimaki's technical performance

In April, Mimaki's advances in print technology were acknowledged by industry professionals, when the company landed two prestigious European Digital Press (EDP) Association Awards. The awards recognise best-in-class products across the digital print landscape. The Mimaki TS500-1800 scooped the Best Wide Format Textile Printer accolade, while the Mimaki JV-400LX Series was named the Best Environmental Printing Solution.

The Mimaki JV 400SUV also got in on the prize-winning act at Viscom Frankfurt. The solution won a Best of 2012 Award, in the Large Format Printing category.

Broad, long-term commitment to sustainability

In 2012 Mimaki underlined its status as a responsible supplier and reinforced its commitment to decreasing its environmental footprint.

This commitment was evidenced by Mimaki's support for the EcoPrint show. The company demonstrated how environmentally-friendly systems can create a more sustainable print infrastructure, without compromising print price, production speed or quality. Even the Mimaki booth was made from environmentally-friendly natural materials, which the company donated to Möbelwerkstatt Werder, a small organization that makes furniture from recycled wood.

Mimaki also underlined its broad perspective on sustainability when it 'adopted' a Sumatran tiger at Barcelona Zoo. In doing so, it sponsored the Mimaki Nature Education Program, an initiative that supports educating young people and children on nature and wildlife.

Mike Horsten, Marketing Manager of Mimaki Europe comments: "2012 has been a defining year for Mimaki. The response to our products at trade shows has been universally positive, and for some products to win highly respected industry awards underlines the progress we've made in the last year. We're really excited about the next chapter for Mimaki. We look forward to offering print houses in EMEA the same level of service and technical support that have proved so popular across Europe."