Greg Hrinya, Editor09.22.21
Fujifilm has not stopped investing in the label and package printing space. The company has continued to innovate, with its most recent digital inkjet presses designed to meet demand for labels and flexible packaging. The company’s versatile range extends from water-wash Flenex plates, to inks, to the Illumina LED curing system.
The wide breadth of products has been developed for a market that is expected to see strong growth in the future. According to Fujifilm, the label and flexible packaging markets are both experiencing a steady growth rate between 3-5% CAGR. This growth is being fueled by the rapidly changing consumer mindset, SKU proliferation, e-commerce, and earth-friendly packaging.
The growth in digital label printing has not resulted in a slowdown for flexo, either. “We see many label converters investing in mid and wide web flexo presses that allow them to gain entry into the flexible packaging space, providing not only labels but flexible packaging as well,” says Matt Bennett, global vice president, Business Strategy, Packaging, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “This has a positive impact to their bottom-line profits and expands their market reach. There is still tremendous growth opportunity for Fujifilm in the market, both from an analog and a digital perspective. We are well positioned in that we have, a complete end-to-end product portfolio to support the needs of the label and packaging segment, as well as scale for the demands of the future.”
Fujifilm remains excited about the prospect of its ink and curing technologies, too. “LED is now leaving the infancy stage and realizing a much more broad acceptance,” notes Bennett. “This is true for both retrofitting existing water-based or UV presses, as well as seeing Illumina LED curing on all the major OEM new presses. Fujifilm knows LED will see exponential growth in the next few years and become the prevalent technology for flexo label converting. Fujifilm began committing 100% of our R&D resources for flexo inks into LED inks as early as five years ago. As a result, we are well positioned to serve this market and offer the broadest portfolio of UV LED hybrid flexo inks that is available today.”
In order to continue to meet demand for its wide range of technologies, Fujifilm believes enhanced customer service will be critical – especially as customers become more exacting and lead times shrink. The company has also worked diligently to navigate the supply chain challenges that have been present during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Because of Fujifilm's already well-regarded and robust customer service and support organization, we have been able to fairly seamlessly work through and support our customers with the same high level of quality that they have come to expect from us,” says Bennett. “The dedication and commitment to excellence from our entire organization through these challenging times has allowed us to continue to flourish and grow during the past 18 months.
“Fujifilm continues to work through supply chain and transportation challenges by increasing our inventory position to reduce delays in product delivery to our customers,” he adds. “Additionally, we are well equipped to help the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic with creative financing options.”
The wide breadth of products has been developed for a market that is expected to see strong growth in the future. According to Fujifilm, the label and flexible packaging markets are both experiencing a steady growth rate between 3-5% CAGR. This growth is being fueled by the rapidly changing consumer mindset, SKU proliferation, e-commerce, and earth-friendly packaging.
The growth in digital label printing has not resulted in a slowdown for flexo, either. “We see many label converters investing in mid and wide web flexo presses that allow them to gain entry into the flexible packaging space, providing not only labels but flexible packaging as well,” says Matt Bennett, global vice president, Business Strategy, Packaging, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “This has a positive impact to their bottom-line profits and expands their market reach. There is still tremendous growth opportunity for Fujifilm in the market, both from an analog and a digital perspective. We are well positioned in that we have, a complete end-to-end product portfolio to support the needs of the label and packaging segment, as well as scale for the demands of the future.”
Fujifilm remains excited about the prospect of its ink and curing technologies, too. “LED is now leaving the infancy stage and realizing a much more broad acceptance,” notes Bennett. “This is true for both retrofitting existing water-based or UV presses, as well as seeing Illumina LED curing on all the major OEM new presses. Fujifilm knows LED will see exponential growth in the next few years and become the prevalent technology for flexo label converting. Fujifilm began committing 100% of our R&D resources for flexo inks into LED inks as early as five years ago. As a result, we are well positioned to serve this market and offer the broadest portfolio of UV LED hybrid flexo inks that is available today.”
In order to continue to meet demand for its wide range of technologies, Fujifilm believes enhanced customer service will be critical – especially as customers become more exacting and lead times shrink. The company has also worked diligently to navigate the supply chain challenges that have been present during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Because of Fujifilm's already well-regarded and robust customer service and support organization, we have been able to fairly seamlessly work through and support our customers with the same high level of quality that they have come to expect from us,” says Bennett. “The dedication and commitment to excellence from our entire organization through these challenging times has allowed us to continue to flourish and grow during the past 18 months.
“Fujifilm continues to work through supply chain and transportation challenges by increasing our inventory position to reduce delays in product delivery to our customers,” he adds. “Additionally, we are well equipped to help the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic with creative financing options.”
