And they have been finding just that with EFI, for which GSW has held the agency since 2016 Rob reported. ‘With the help of Sidney Ouahnoun, EFI sales director of Display Graphics: MEA, ours has been a fruitful partnership of introducing new solutions to some of the country’s biggest printing companies in packaging, point of sale and -purchase, display stands, fleet branding, truck tarpaulins and signage.’
New wide-format models abound and the market is opening its arms just as wide. Both Screenline (printed brand activation services) and H&A (retail specialist) have invested in the hybrid EFI VUTEk 32h flatbed and roll-fed machine. Other companies have bought EFI roll-to-roll machines and found them so efficient and effective that, Rob stated, they’ve jettisoned their other print machines. Among these is the one of the largest billboard printing companies in the country.
‘Some other very strong print service providers favour EFI technology as best in class and their competitors are sitting up and taking notice of the unfolding trends.’
Sidney shared that the South African launch of the VUTEk 30h is around the corner and that the model will be the star attraction of a big demo centre being prepared. ‘We have always been primarily in the high-end segment, which is very niche,’ he pointed out. ‘This entry-level production printer takes us into the mainstream, where equipment is priced below R4-million. It’s a huge segment and we have very high expectations for the machine.’
According to Sidney, the 30h, a 3.2m LED production printer boasts superior image quality at a resolution of up to 1 200dpi. It is designed for quick turnarounds, with speeds of up to 230m²/hour. Its numerous applications span retail and outdoor signage to window and backlit graphics. The combination of hybrid and LED curing technology satisfies the demand for high quality with quicker turnaround times, and enables print on various substrates.
‘The model has already been launched in several European markets, including at the recent Sign Istanbul exhibition, where the feedback was most encouraging, which is a good indicator of sales to come,’ he added.
Another EFI performer soon to make its local debut is the VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ dye-sublimation printer, which will be commissioned by a trendsetting printer. The unit offers direct print on a range of polyester-based materials and sublimates inline in a single step to produce runs instantly ready for finishing and shipping. It’s the fastest printer of its kind on the market, Rob asserted, with an outdoor print mode up to 480m2/hour, production mode up to 248m2/hour and backlit print mode up to 166m2/hour. All EFI equipment is complemented by inks custom-formulated for the application, ensuring high colour quality, durability, performance and consistency.
Machinery, however, is just one element of the total package. ‘Companies are looking for the right partnership,’ he elaborated. ‘They don’t want to discover later that they’ve received poor technology advice or are not being given the aftersales support they expected. EFI has its own technicians based in South Africa and GSW provides additional technical backup, so there is constant support both onsite and remote.’
That’s clearly a dEFInite plus!
