client base while adding new clients who could benefit from their current services. Evolutionary Changes As companies outside of the sign and graphics industry start to look at adding digital wide-format services, the market becomes even more cluttered. “It is a very challenging market place due to the over saturation of digital printing companies coming to the industry,” said Kieu Tran, president of Graphic Trends. Additionally, “start-up companies can be cheap and deteriorate profits.” But how can businesses best combat all of these challenges— from deteriorating profits to market saturation? It might be time for a change. “I believe our industry is now due for change in identity,” said Gary C. Schellerer, COO and VP of operations for ER2 Image Group. “In my opinion, the biggest opportunities in the next year will lie in front of the companies that are bold enough to push ‘out of the mold’ that we have created for ourselves. A new breed of visual communication companies is going to emerge. In my vision, this new company will offer all things under the umbrella of visual advertising. Exactly how it will look is questionable but I see this company as a design agency, a small-format printer, a large-format printer, an outdoor electric provider, an installation company, a content delivery company, and visual technology firm all wrapped up into one. The RIP SOFTWARE FOR PRINT-TO-CUT WORKFLOW More than just a RIP, a full featured solution for printing businesses! 2015 Top Product: RIP Software 2015 Top Product: Workflow Software tion—which came together through mergers and acquisitions— was predicted several years ago and we can see it playing out in the industry and also within companies in our top shops. In 2014, Graphic Systems Group (GSG) was purchased and merged in with Diadeis, forming a much stronger Diadeis GSG. Inkjet International, a perennial company on the list, was purchased by E.H. Teasley & Co. And Sealand Graphics merged to become I3 Imaging Group. According to Terri Sealey, CFO of Sharpe Images, an acquisition of a commercial printing company in late 2013 helped the business grow 18 percent in 2014. They are continuing to look at 18% other companies in their region to help them expand their services and capabilities to better service their current Discover Version 10: #1 ContourNesting, Tex&Repeat and PrintBoard are now included! #2 Increase your RIPing speeds (up to 2x faster) #3 Create advanced tiling projects #4 Enjoy our new GUI design #5 RIP larger files (new APPE 3.3) CALDERA Inc - 1850 East 121st Street, Suite108, Burnsville, MN 55337 - Tel. 612-216-5212 - Fax 612-486-9485 - www.caldera.com - contact@caldera.com For more information, visit MyPRINTResource.com/10004280 Wide-Format MyPRINTResource.com Imaging | April 2015 13
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