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Wide-format Market grows in Fourth Quarter

IDC’s latest overview saw the sector grow by 6.2% , with 77,000 units shipped in 3Q 2013.

The latest version of the Worldwide Quarterly Large Format Printer Tracker presented the market's growth, which is the first growth period "since the first quarter of 2011 where both units and shipments achieved year-over-year gains", according to the analysts.

The total market value for the third quarter of 2013 came to $802.8 million, which was an increase of 6.2% from the third quarter in 2012, with growth said to have been "fueled" by "solid demand" from both the United States and Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) (APeJ) markets, with the USA seeing a unit increase of 16.5% and value increase of 8.4%, and the APeJ region seeing a 20.9% unit increase and 8.4% value increase as well.

Breaking down the wide-format industry into technical and graphic applications, the former segment grew by 5.7% to 45,900 units shipped, with a 59.1% share of the total market, "unchanged" from the previous year. Seven of eight regions saw growth in technical printing, with the MEA (Middle East and Africa) first with 23.8%, followed by the USA with 15.4% and Japan with 12.7%.

The graphics application segment also saw a unit increase of 6.9% to 31,800 units, a 40.9% share of the total market, with the APeJ and US markets among the four regions that saw growth in comparison to 2012, with 19.8% and 18% increases respectively. In turn, both Japan and the MEA saw increases over the results from 3Q 2012.

In terms of OEM share, HP remains first, with a share of 39.1% and 30,500 units shipped, a decline of 1.4%, though it saw growth in four regions, including the APeJ and US markets with 15% and 13.4% respectively. Epson ranked second, with a growth of 13.5% to 16,600 units shipped – a 21.4% market share, with double-digit growth in the US of 51.4%, the APeJ of 34.2%, Japan with 22.4%, and the MEA with 16.8%.

Canon placed third with unit increase of 12.4% to 16,400 units and a 21.1% share, with all regions growing except Western Europe, with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), APeJ and Canada each seeing an increase of 46.7%, 35.5 percent and 17.3% respectively. Roland held fourth place with 20.9% growth and 2,700 units shipped, with gains everywhere but Europe, including the MEA with 50 percent, APeJ with 45.7%, and Latin America with 45.1%.

Finally, Ricoh held fifth position, with two thousand units shipped for a share of 2.6%, with shipments increasing by 22.1% to make it the "best year-over-year performance", with growth in all regions except Latin America, including a growth of 3.8% in Japan, 45.1% in the US and 20.4% in the APeJ.

Phuong Hang, Programe Director for Worldwide Large Format Printer Tracker at IDC, stated: "Epson was one of the main growth engines in the APeJ market. The password encryption on Epson print heads benefited Epson itself, as well as Roland, Mimaki and Mutoh who OEM from Epson. The encryption was established in December 2012 and helped to prevent other Chinese brands from using Epson print heads to develop their own machines."

The Recycler previously reported that the global wide-format market is set to be worth $12.5 billion by 2016.

Source: Global wide-format market sees growth in final quarter

Epson Plans to Enter Ecommercial 3D Printing Market

President of OEM says Epson is to move beyond its traditional product range and is developing 3D printers for commercial applications.

The Age reported on an interview conducted by Fairfax Media in which Epson President Minoru Usui spoke of striving for originality and looking into new types of products, as he reportedly stated that other technology companies such as Apple and Samsung lack "originality".

Usui used the two companies' smartphone models as an example, commenting that "if you take them apart then you'll find that they're basically all using the same displays, they're using the same batteries, the same condensers, the same parts".

He then went on to assert that Epson plans to focus on "actual originality" and on creating "things that other companies simply cannot", listing wearable technology and 3D printing as areas of interest for the company.

In terms of 3D printers, Usui explained that Epson would be focused on commercial applications for large-scale production environments rather than models aimed at the consumer market, which he described as "niche" and "very limited" due to the types of materials they can use to create objects. He added that he did not expect the consumer 3D printing market to become "all that big" and believes that interest in the market would be "temporary", claiming that it had been encouraged by a speech made by US President Obama in February in which 3D printing was mentioned.

Usui also talked about Epson"s foray into the wearable technology market, which he said would be "a big area of expansion" for the company. "We’re aiming to create products that will be able to illustrate what’s happening inside your body […] so you can track changes over time," he said. "As far as I’m aware there are no products on the market today that can achieve this by simply just using sensors."

Lightweight, augmented reality headgear is another area that Epson is focused on, with Usui claiming that "the scope for products like this is immense in various applications".

Usui said: "I don’t want Epson to be just known as a printer maker or projector maker […] I want to take it to be a company [that] understands [what] people in different areas of the world want."

Source: Epson to enter commercial 3D printing market

"Dream Printer" for Children from Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta announced its "dream printer" project under the "Giving Shape to Ideas" concept. The new video features children telling a unique printer what they dream of becoming in the future. Magically these children are able to see what they could look like if they follow their dreams.

"We wanted to encourage children by showing them that the more you imagine, the more your dreams take shape," said Yuki Kobayashi, General Manager of Konica Minolta’s CSR, Corporate Communications & Branding Division. "Children dream about what they want to be when they grow up, but they eventually lose sight of those dreams. Konica Minolta believes that children can realize those ambitions by imagining their dreams and focusing on them specifically, so we decided to help children shape their dreams, based on the idea "The more you imagine, the more your dreams take shape." We are happy to celebrate children, and to take it a step further to help them visualize their dreams with the "dream printer."

In the video, filmed in Gantry Plaza State Park in New York, while children run around and play, the children meet with the "dream printer." Watch the surprised faces of the children, as the printer asks them what they imagine themselves being in the future. Within minutes of telling the printer their dream, the children receive an illustration that depicts this, showing them that their dream can come true. As night falls, the printer"s true self is revealed.

Konica Minolta has implemented a variety of projects that embody the concept of "Giving Shape to Ideas," with the "dream printer" and accompanying video as the newest initiative. The Group understands the problems customers face from the customer's perspective and creates new values by bringing ideas into shape. Konica Minolta will continue to create innovative products, services and solutions that bring joy, give surprise and stir emotions for businesses and everyday lives across the world.

Source: Konica Announces ‘Dream Printer’ Project for Children

Printers Were Sent from Hell!

Epson releases Google-linked device

Consumer Electronics Net reported first on the US release of the Epson Expression Premium XP-610, a "small-in-one" inkjet machine that can wirelessly connect to Google Chromebook laptops for printing, scanning and other functions. The machine, set to be exclusively available at US retailer Best Buy, also offers cloud functionality.

The printer is the "first […] to integrate" with Chromebooks in such a way, with Epson America’s Patrick Chen, Product Manager of Mobile Connectivity, stating: "Working closely with Google, we've made it easier than ever to setup and then print from your Chromebook no matter where you are. Chromebooks are one of the fastest growing segments of the PC industry and expanding wireless printing convenience directly enhances creativity and productivity for home, school and business users."

Manila Standard Today meanwhile reported on the launch of two Epson wide-format sign printers in the Philippines, both of which utilize 1.5 litre high-capacity ink tanks. The SureColor SC-B6070 and SCB7070 feature sizes of 44 inches and 64 inches respectively, and are said by the OEM to be used for "high quality indoor signage printing" using its dye-based inks.

The tanks "can be refilled even while the printers are in operation", Epson notes, and "represent a superior solution to third-party ink tanks that are not made by the original printer manufacturer". The OEM has also noted that "there is no warranty coverage for their installation or else when non-original inks cause damage", with both machines utilizing Epson’s Micro Piezo thin film printhead.

Other features included in the two machines are a print resolution of 1440 x 1400 dpi, as well as print speeds of up to 69.5 square metres per hour. The ink tanks also feature filters "to prevent contamination of the printhead", and the machines also utilize a "low ink level warning system" to prevent misprints. The SC-B6070 and SC-B7070 are available for Php 340,900 ($7,793) and Php 799,900 ($18,270) respectively.

Source: Epson releases Google-linked device and new wide-format machines

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