FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division recently hosted another successful Wide Format Technology Summit at its all-new Chicago Technology Center in Hanover Park, Illinois.
Nearly fifty invited guests toured the expanded and renovated Fujifilm facility, encompassing over 23,000 square feet of innovations, and experienced live demonstrations of the Inca Onset R40i and Q40i; the Acuity series of presses, including the all-new Acuity F; the Uvistar Pro-8W; the Esko Kongsberg Cutting Table iXP24; and ColorGATE RIP software.
“Experiencing all of Fujifilm’s line-up of products under one roof is fantastic. We are going home with so much knowledge,” said Brian Waggoner, print production manager, Fleet Graphics. “Our wish list is obviously growing after seeing everything in-person,” added the Dayton, Ohio-based print provider.
A highlight during the multi-day technology summit included Fujifilm’s signature ‘Customer User Panel,’ featuring Fujifilm customers sharing their real-life experiences with Fujifilm solutions. The diverse panel included Todd Meissner, president, Color Ink, Sussex, Wisconsin; Brett Levitt, VP, Oakley Signs & Graphics, Chicago, Illinois; and David Leavy, president, Creative Printing, Merriam, Kansas.
“The customer panel always rates highly with attendees,” commented Terry Mitchell, VP marketing, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division. “The session is an open forum of questions and the panel provides insights from their experience with wide format. It’s always a highlight of our summits.”
The presentation line-up included a brief corporate overview of Fujifilm and an introduction to Fujifilm inkjet technologies followed by more in-depth presentations of the capabilities of specific wide format solutions. Will Eve, director of R&D, Inca Digital, presented the technology of the Onset series; Stephanie Brown, strategic account manager, ColorGATE, spoke about ColorGATE RIP software; and Steve Bennett, VP of sales, Esko, detailed the benefits of Esko Graphics and their relationship with Fujifilm.
“Our Technology Summits are great opportunities for customers to learn about wide format; it’s very satisfying to educate, excite, and entertain our customers,” said Jeffrey Nelson, business development manager, Inkjet Solutions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division. “My hope is that they come away with a much better understanding of our technology and commitment to inkjet. It’s an extraordinary time to be involved with wide format, and a fantastic opportunity to share information with our customers.”
“We like where everything is going with Fujifilm,” added Waggoner. “Fleet Graphics has been working with Fujifilm for a very long time, and our line-up of products includes Fujifilm offset plates. I currently run the Fujifilm Acuity Advance with white ink, and produce anything and everything under the sun. The Acuity can print any job we want it to do, lots of foam board, and a lot of special-sized acrylics with white on the back.” Waggoner mentioned their wish list now includes the new Acuity F with dual print zones.
“We appreciate the new technology advancements of the Acuity Select, and the Inca Onset with the Hostert full-automation is very impressive. Fujifilm technology is always the top of the line, always something new.”
Marco Boer, VP, IT Strategies gave an inspiring presentation titled “Moving to Inkjet: Where, Why, and When?” and reinforced with the attendees Fujifilm’s commitment to the industry and the yearly investment in R&D to develop new inkjet solutions.
“The future is inkjet,” said Boer. “Fujifilm inkjet technology is liberating the ability to create things to print, and print buyers are demanding ‘just-in-time’ print technology. Inkjet technology provides these capabilities.”
Fujifilm’s invited guests were treated to a welcome dinner reception on the 27th floor of The Wit hotel in downtown Chicago, and on the second day an evening boat cruise that launched from Navy Pier, featuring dinner, cocktails, a live DJ and amazing skyline views of the city.
“Hosting evening events as part of the program allows attendees to network and spend time together,” said Mitchell. “This is another highly rated part of the program that we will continue to provide as we plan future events.”
