EFI’s Packaging Installed Base Shows Sizable Growth

EFI announced momentum among customers in packaging production, led by a significant increase in EFI Radius ERP software installations and new UV and LED inkjet printer sales that will give customers digital converting opportunities in corrugated, folding carton and flexible packaging markets.

The number of net new Radius customers doubled year-over-year between 2012 and 2013. Distinct Packabilities, Shepherdsville, Ky.; Hub Labels, Hagerstown, Md.; K-1 Packaging Group, City of Industry, Calif.; Netpak Packaging, Montreal; and several additional businesses added Radius systems last year. Since then, EFI’s Radius group has witnessed continued momentum working with converters interested in building efficiencies and reducing costs using the industry’s leading packaging ERP platform. The continued growth in the Radius installed base comes from converters of all size and types, from smaller, single-plant implementations to large-scale, multiplant and multi-national deployments.
  
EFI’s expanded offerings in the packaging market include:
• Corrugated and folding carton packaging applications using the EFI VUTEk HS100 Pro high-speed inkjet press and EFI’s new material edge guide (MEG) system.

• New, greener flexible packaging and label production capabilities with the launch of the LED inkjet EFI Jetrion 4950LX narrow-web press.

• Technology from the April 2014 acquisition of Rhapso Group, manufacturer of one of the world’s leading software products for corrugated packaging production scheduling, PC-TOPP.

“The continued growth and interest EFI is seeing in this market reflects our ongoing commitment to be a valued partner for businesses that want to take advantage of the accelerating opportunities in packaging,” said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. “We are very proud to work with many of the world’s best packaging converters and, as always, we are committed to helping them grow profits, reduce waste and cut costs using the most innovative digital printing and workflow technologies available.”

The improvements customers made last year implementing Radius systems was followed by strong momentum with EFI’s January 2014 Connect users group event. Connect had record attendance, including the highest-ever number of Radius users.

During Connect, EFI Radius’s product management team shared initial details on a new version of the Radius ERP software that incorporates technologies EFI has developed or acquired over the past year. Available this month, EFI Radius version 15.1 offers new features and enhancements, including a mobile CRM module; improved scheduling with EFI’s world-class PrintFlow plant optimization software; web-based, EFI SmartLinc multi-carrier shipping features; and an EFI Radius customer web portal.

“This is an exciting time for EFI and our customers,” according to David Taylor, general manager, EFI Radius. “With our strong track record of smart acquisitions and internal R&D, EFI Radius customers are able to benefit from improvements in our software platform that support increased profits through cost reduction, higher productivity and improved workflow.”

Packaging converters are also increasingly turning to EFI for digital printing solutions that make short- to medium-volume production faster, more efficient and more profitable. To meet increased demand for larger-format digital technologies that offer a better return on investment, EFI has improved the packaging capabilities of its VUTEk inkjet products. Future improvements, including continued expansion of EFI’s advanced, LED-curing inkjet technology, will give converters even more digital packaging printing opportunities.

And, in EFI’s Jetrion product line – the leading inkjet press technology for the converting space – the new Jetrion 4950LX LED press prints on a broader range of label substrates and gives users the ability to produce flexible packaging as well as labels. The press’s “cool cure” LED platform uses significantly less energy, reduces waste, and saves resources and money with longer-lasting LED lamps, all of which makes it a greener, more cost-effective product that meets converters’ needs for sustainable, profitable printing.