Wins Order for High-speed Roll Type Inkjet Presses from Group Company of Major Chinese Publisher

Kyoto, Japan – January 28, 2016 – SCREEN Graphic and Precision Solutions Co., Ltd. (SCREEN GP) has received a major order from CNPIEC Digital Printing Co., Ltd., a member company of China’s largest book import/export group, China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation. The order comprises eight digital printing systems for four lines and includes SCREEN GP’s cutting-edge Truepress Jet520HD high-speed roll type inkjet press.

SCREEN GP and CNPIEC Digital Printing have also concluded a partnership agreement that will form the basis for a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. Under the terms of the agreement, SCREEN GP will initially provide CNPIEC Digital Printing with technical support as it works to expand its digital printing business. SCREEN GP will also utilize CNPIEC Digital Printing’s facilities to develop promotional campaigns that accelerate its sales strategies for China and the rest of Asia.

In recent years, the rapid adoption of the Internet and digital devices has had a significant impact on the printing industry. These changes have caused a transition from high-volume runs of uniform materials to specialized production of small lot and personalized items.

The Chinese print market has also been experiencing the effects of the country's swift economic development and changing consumption patterns. Further diversification of print media and an increasing requirement for on-demand publishing are anticipated, and this expansion is expected to increase distribution of digitally printed materials by 10.4%* in the period from 2014 to 2019.

Based on these trends, SCREEN GP has intensified its efforts to increase sales of digital presses in the Chinese market. This expansion is led by the highly advanced Truepress Jet520HD, a high-speed roll type inkjet press that delivers color quality approaching offset printing.

Following a recent evaluation of the print quality provided by the Truepress Jet520HD and Truepress Jet520EX Advanced, a dedicated monochrome press, CNPIEC Digital Printing concluded the models offered significant advantages that could drive the growth of its digital printing business. As a result of this assessment, it has now made the decision to install these digital printing systems on a total of four lines.

Additionally, in December 2015, SCREEN GP and CNPIEC Digital Printing signed a foundational contract that established a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between the two companies. Under the agreement, SCREEN GP will provide CNPIEC Digital Printing with comprehensive support, particularly in relation to technical aspects. This technical support will benefit CNPIEC Digital Printing immediately as it works to expand its digital printing operations and in the near future as it implements a plan to establish a further five operational sites within the mainland Chinese market.

With cooperation from CNPIEC Digital Printing, the recently established strategic relationship will also provide a springboard for SCREEN GP to pursue its planned business expansion into the Chinese and wider Asian markets. SCREEN GP will continue to focus on the development of solutions that meet the diverse needs of the printing and publishing industries and, through these efforts, contribute to their future growth.

* Comparison of annual averages for sales figures. Based on a survey performed by InfoTrends in 2015.