Editor's Note:  See an exclusive interview with Andrew Copley by WhatTheyThink's Cary Sherburne

NORWALK, Conn. – With the mantra, “everything begins and ends with the customer,” Xerox has opened its newest innovation facility bringing aqueous inkjet products and services to the forefront. The Impika Inkjet Innovation Centre in Aubagne, France is a 91,000 square foot (8,454 square meters) showroom featuring Impika’s inkjet devices, adjacent to the company’s expanded R&D and production facilities.  

“The center offers an interactive and engaging setting where customers and prospects can experience inkjet technology on their terms – free to explore, learn and challenge,” said Andrew Copley, president, Graphic Communications Operations, Xerox. “It represents a significant milestone in our inkjet strategy since acquiring Impika in 2013. Our plan to provide both aqueous and waterless inkjet technology is on track and gaining momentum. Print service providers know we are serious about inkjet.” 

Products on display include the Impika iPrint Compact, iPrint Reference, iPrint eVolution and iPrint eXtreme, as well as the iEngine 1000 and 1000L. 

Xerox inspires innovation in North America

In the U.S., enhancements at the Gil Hatch Center for Customer Innovation in Webster, N.Y. have created a more personalized experience in a collaborative and innovative environment.

At 100,000 square feet, the center is the largest permanent showcase of digital products and solutions for the graphic communications and enterprise printing markets in the world. Recently certified as a Print Media G7 Master Qualified facility by IDEAlliance, this designation acknowledges the use of the most modern technology, techniques and press controls to produce a close visual match from proof to print. 

Situated on the Xerox manufacturing campus, the center can access a variety of resources, thought leaders and subject matter experts to customize presentations, workshops and demonstrations for more than 1,200 customer visits annually.  

New to the production showroom are personal headsets for demonstrations in multiple languages and the latest graphic communications technology advancements, such as the Xerox Versant™ 2100 Press, expanded workflow capabilities and finishing applications areas.

“The Gil Hatch Center is more than a product demo area; it’s a learning hub,” said Xerox customer Mark Serbin, president, Serbin Printing. “We are able to sit down one-on-one with peers and industry professionals to discuss challenges and goals – and that’s invaluable.” 

In the heart of New York City, Xerox’s new Executive Briefing Center includes a high-impact media wall and an interactive experience illustrating the company’s innovations. Customers can also learn about Xerox services or view technology demonstrations, including the Xerox Color 1000 Digital Press and Color J75 Press.

Enhancements at U.K. center foster more personalized experiences 

Recently completed upgrades at the Innovation Center in Uxbridge, London make networking and learning more effective. A new Discovery Area encourages visitors to interact with experts and discuss ways to simplify how works gets done across their business. The center is also equipped with a new 80-seat, state-of-the-art auditorium and a 30-seat café area to support more personalized experiences for visitors.