As reported by WhatTheyThink.com (here and here), Komori has announced the installation or sale of nine presses in the U.S. and in Canada since last December 22. That's a fast clip for one company, to be sure, but does it signal a return to vigor for the equipment market as a whole? If the market is coming back, what does that imply for printers who've been keeping their press purchasing plans on indefinite hold? Not surprisingly, Komori's Stephan Carter has some distinct opinions on these matters, which he shares with WhatTheyThink.com in this exclusive interview.

WTT: As we head into 2004, we don't appear to be seeing any surges or spikes in equipment sales. Is the press market really as lackluster as it looks?

SC: We are seeing a definite spike in demand and are working with many printers on their press acquisition plans for 2004. As preposterous as it sounds, I see a number of factors that will significantly impact the availability and cost of commercial sheetfed equipment in 2004. Fundamental tenets of supply and demand are going to come into play that will have the effect of driving the cost of equipment acquisition up. These factors include an economic and industry turnaround against a backdrop of more limited supply than has been available in the past. Combined with the Drupa effect and the demand of emerging markets, the North American printing market will have to compete for capital equipment resources unlike the recent past.