Pioneering wide-format software solutions provider Caldera is preparing to make strategic investments building on a highly successful period that has seen the company's turnover increase by 90 percent since 2008. Thanks to its core offering of world-class RIP software and recent diversification into complementary markets such as workflow and digital signage, turnover for 2012 was over €7m. Caldera's strong growth has also seen its personnel numbers grow by 109 percent from 22 staff in 2008 to 57 in 2012.

Going forward, Caldera will prioritize the service area of its business to promote further growth, a part of its portfolio that has grown by 100 percent since 2009. In addition, the company will invest around €1m in expanding its headquarters by 800sqm to create a new training center. The expansion will see the company recruit a further 30 people within the next three years.

"The growth of Caldera in recent years has been far greater than we might have expected given the global economic downturn, and goes to show that if you work hard to develop products that really meet the needs of your target market, you can succeed even under these difficult circumstances," says Joseph Mergui, chief executive, Caldera. "We have a loyal and satisfied customer base which trusts us to provide it with solutions for its unique demands, and that loyalty and trust is what has enabled us to become a leading player on the global stage with users in more than 60 countries."

In 2012, the company also incorporated a new US branch in an effort to broaden its global footprint. With six employees joining Caldera Inc since the commencement of its activities in May 2012, the US subsidiary has generated turnover of more than $1m a very healthy and confident start in a very competitive market. Already 80 percent of Caldera's total turnover comes from outside of its home nation of France, and the company is aiming to increase this with a strategic focus on key markets.

"Caldera is now in a very strong position for the future, and we believe that our investment in new premises and the projected growth of our American branch will only serve to further boost our turnover," says Joseph Mergui. "Our growth is good news for our customers too, as it shows that the market in general is in good health. They might find that the demand from their own customers is changing, but with solutions like Variable Display™, Caldera’s unique solution to mix digital signage and print, we have anticipated this and offered wide-format print providers a unique add-on sales proposition. With continued investment and development, there are plenty more opportunities ripe for exploitation and we will aim to provide our users with the tools to do so."