Fujifilm Sericol innovation centre completes one year

Raghav Rao, managing director of Fujifilm Sericol, said, "These include solvent inkjet and textile inkjet with various print heads and kit like Diamatix, Konica, Xaar, Epson, Seiko, as well as textile inkjet sublimation, dispersed and reactive systems." The innovation centre which is located in Sanaswadi in Taluka Shirur in Pune has seen a big boost to its screen UV graphics and UV flexo products in the past 12 months. 

Rao said, "As a company, we have always worked with customers to give them a complete solution. Our customers know and acknowledge this fact and work along with us on new projects so that it is a win-win situation for our partnership."

When asked about the trends in retail, OOH and Indian sign making sector especially for POS props and floor-standing units, vinyl hoardings and signage, screen and digital print for windows or shop in shop, Rao said, "Screen printing is almost out and everything is now converted to inkjet. These days customers are looking at good quality and service for cheaper options in order to compete in the marketplace."

Speaking about UV inkjet flatbed technology disrupting the market with superior window dressing and retails products with 3D and thermoforming and doming, Rao said, "It is true. In fact, Fujifilm Sericol has been seeing a growth in UV and LED market share." He added, "Except metal, we have solutions for all the substrate materials." Metal and glass with primer coat application development are underway for direct printing.

Rao added, "Solvent inks are still dominating a majority of signage and POS applications. This is expected to continue due to the lower price advantage. Today the market wants the latest technologies but is unwilling to pay for the same. End-users are still not ready to support UV or UV LED prices."

One concern for the manufacturer is the impact of the price increases in the cost of crude oil, and the resultant impact on raw material and transportation costs. Rao said, "The same has impacted us, adversely. Our bottomline has been squeezed by almost 20% due to crude and other raw material price increases. In addition, rupee depreciation has impacted us."

Rao concluded, "We remain committed to helping our customers compete by providing a range of leading-edge technologies and solutions at our Innovation Centre. Plus we are dedicated to working with the whole supply chain to minimise the effects."