Wide-Format Imaging Announces 2009 Reprographic Shop of the Year
When Gene Klein began working summers in his dad’s blue print shop, little did he know that one day he would be running one of the leading output fulfillment providers in the country. For 48 years, the San Mateo, Calif.-based BarkerBlue Digital Imaging has been on the cutting edge of technology, has paved new roads in planroom technology and has led the sustainable movement in the industry. For their years of service and dedication, they have been selected by Wide-Format Imaging as the Reprographic Shop of the Year for 2009.
“When I started working for my dad back in the mid-70s, I really thought it was going to be a summer gig while I went to college. I never thought it was going to be my career. As I continued to learn the business from him, we found out that we really enjoyed working together,” said Gene Klein, CEO and owner at BarkerBlue Digital Imaging.
While BarkerBlue’s roots are steeped deep in traditional reprographic service offerings, the shop has proven to be a major catalyst for change in the industry. Klein, a past chairman of the board of the ReproMAX network and current board member, has consistently pushed the envelope of the reprographic business, from pin-graphics to laser-plotting to color on-demand print to adopting online planroom technology. READ MORE
Océ Expands its Display Graphics Sales Channel in the U.S.
Océ recently announced an agreement with Advantage Sign Supply, Inc. (ASSI) for ASSI to become an authorized reseller of Océ Arizona® Series of UV curable flatbed printers in the United States. ASSI will be selling the Océ Arizona 200 GT, Océ Arizona 250 GT, Océ Arizona 350 GT and the Océ Arizona 350 XT printers. ASSI is the only authorized reseller of the Océ Arizona brand of printers in the United States in addition to the Océ direct sales organization.
By making use of ASSI’s national scope, Océ increases its sales coverage almost four fold. According to Lyra Research, the UV curable hardware and ink segment of the large format display graphics market is expected to grow 13 percent by 2012. The strategic alliance with ASSI enables Océ to further penetrate the growing U.S. market with the Océ Arizona flatbed printer series.
ASSI will focus its sales on the sign and graphics industry. Océ will support ASSI in its selling activities and provide additional services including delivery & installation, warranty support, and on-going, post-warranty maintenance services. READ MORE
Neschen Americas Welcomes Jim Cain and Mike MacPherson
Neschen Americas – SEAL and Neschen Brand Products is pleased to welcome James Cain, Jr. and Michael MacPherson to the newly created role of Business Development Manager. In the role, Cain and MacPherson will be managing current national account and reseller programs as well as assist in the acquisition of new customers. They will also be working closely with the Field Sales team to provide additional support, drive National Account Corporate Development and manage print partner relationships.
Cain, the Eastern Territory Business Development Manger, brings over 25 years of graphics industry experience to the position.
Prior to Neschen Americas, he was the Vice President of Business Development at SignWarehouse and the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at SA International. This experience will allow him to be a key resource for customers and sales staff.
MacPherson will be focusing his efforts as Business Development Manager on the Western section of the U.S. Formerly a Sales Manager with HASCO Sales Inc, he brings a wealth of industry expertise to the role and is an expert with the intricacies of the Neschen and SEAL brand product ranges. Prior to his position with HASCO, MacPherson worked for Seal Graphics Americas – resulting in over a decade of SEAL brand product knowledge.
Colortrac Large-Format Scanner Wins Readers’ Choice Top Product of 2009 Award
Readers of Wide-Format Imaging magazine have voted the Colortrac SmartLF Gx 42 professional color graphics scanner series the "Best Large-Format Scanner available in the Wide-Format Scanner 2009 category.
This is the fourth Wide-Format Imaging Readers’ Choice Top Products Awards and the first which Colortrac has won. READ MORE
Extend Application Ranges with New VUTEk Printers from EFI
EFI recently announced two new additions to their line of industry-leading VUTEk® superwide-format UV printers, the GS2000, a revolutionary 2-meter hybrid that delivers photorealistic quality at incredible speeds without compromise, and the QS3220, a 3.2-meter hybrid printer with High Definition Print (HDP) technology and an extended application range.
The GS2000 delivers incredible photorealistic quality, extending the application set of superwide printing. EFI VUTEk’s Dual Resolution Capability enables true 600 dpi with 24-picoliter drops and true 1000 dpi with 12-picoliter drops, and can print in eight colors plus two channels for white. The GS2000 is perfect for traditional 2-meter applications such as banners and signs, as well as detail-intensive applications such as stunning Point-of-Purchase (POP) displays.
Using EFI VUTEk’s innovative HDP technology, the QS3220 prints eye-popping images up to 3.2 meters wide at 1,080 dpi. Text is printed cleanly and crisply, and EFI’s Fiery® XF RIP solution ensures consistent, accurate color and reliable output. Perfect for Point-of-Purchase (POP) and high quality retail signage, the new QS3220 delivers the same unmatched quality that VUTEk customers have come to depend on, with expanded opportunities for new applications on new materials. READ MORE
Contex Partners with Resellers for Big Opportunities
Contex, the world's leading wide format scanner manufacturer, is launching a Partner Program offering resellers financial benefits, sales and marketing support and product training. Contex has more than 20 years experience in the wide format market and works closely with 132 distributors around the world.
The Contex Partner Program aims to encourage resellers to take a closer look at wide format scanners as a potential growth area. The program offers resellers rebates and other sales incentives, as well as sales and marketing support designed to help them grow wide format scanner sales. In short, the Partner Program aims to give resellers the support and training they need to get more out of the segment. READ MORE