Information

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. established a new Graphic Systems Division in June last year with a mission to focus on FUJIFILM’s international business strategy in the Graphic Arts market. The division was formed from the amalgamation of the Japanese domestic Marketing Division and the International Marketing Division.

One of the aims of the new Graphic Systems Division is to speed up the planning and decision making processes to ensure that FUJIFILM is better positioned to react to the rapid market transition to all digital print production.

Under the new management team, FUJIFILM is focusing on the following three major areas:

Rationalisation of distribution networks and the strengthening of local marketing

The establishment of Enovation Graphic Systems, Inc. in U.S.A. (EGSU)

During 2003, FUJIFILM purchased 10 nationwide dealers and initiated a direct sales and support business in the USA, together with merging the existing Graphic Systems Division of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. This activity was completed on October 1, 2003.

During 2003, FUJIFILM purchased 10 nationwide dealers and initiated a direct sales and support business in the USA, together with merging the existing Graphic Systems Division of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. This activity was completed on October 1, 2003.

Through this change, FUJIFILM is now in a better position to develop and maintain direct relationships with customers, allowing FUJIFILM USA to be more proactive in improving competitiveness, influencing R&D more directly and reducing time to market.

The establishment of FUJIFILM Graphic Systems Co., Ltd. in Japan (FFGS)

FUJIFILM carried out the capital increase of a previous distributor Process Shizai Co.,Ltd. and established the company as a FUJIFILM consolidated organisation with effect from April 1, 2003. This replaces a previous structure where FUJIFILM ran the Graphic Systems Division, covering marketing and sales, within FUJIFILM’s headquarters organisation, working with Process Shizai for the distribution of products.

FUJIFILM is now introducing a new positive thermal CTP plate (Brillia LH-PJ) as a new generation plate with the benefits of better resistance to chemical attack, UV ink compatibility without post baking, improved scratch resistance and better ink⁄water balance characteristics. FUJIFILM believes this new generation positive thermal plate will set a new quality standard for on press performance of a CTP plate.

Strengthen the development of new products

In conjunction with the reorganisation of Fujiiflm business structure, FUJIFILM is to become a more market orientated supplier in order to improve the critical link between understanding customer requirements and product development.

FUJIFILM’s major focus is on the development of CTP products, as more than 60% of total plate usage in the European and North American markets is now CTP and this change is now being mirrored in Japan and other Asian countries. As a supplier of high quality CTP products with exceptional batch-to-batch consistency, FUJIFILM continues to develop CTP products that provide major customer advantages.

FUJIFILM’s development of both thermal and photopolymer plate technologies is as follows:

Photopolymer Plate Technology

FUJIFILM’s new Luxel B2 Violet platesetter being exhibited at drupa 2004 will be running the violet photopolymer plate, Brillia LP-NV. This system provides an ideal combination of high productivity and quality, together with excellent consistency, at an affordable cost.

In the Newspaper market segment, FUJIFILM’s Brillia LP-NNV violet photopolymer plate, also announced at IFRA 2003, will be available in conjunction with Brillia LH-NN negative thermal plate from the 4th quarter this year.

Processless Plate Technology

FUJIFILM will release a “technology announcement” concerning processless plates at drupa 2004. The development of processless plate technologies continues, the performance of which is being closely monitored in line with the availability of commercial systems and customer expectations.

Colour Management System (CMS) Technology

In order to enhance customer satisfaction with regard to print quality, FUJIFILM is also engaged in the development of a CMS technology that allows more control over colour across the digital workflow. This technology is based upon FUJIFILM’s colour evaluation experience in the fields of reversal film development and laboratory colour print technology and is based upon a RGB workflow. FUJIFILM has used its knowledge and expertise in digital colour management systems to establish a “Digital Master Image” as a standardised colour management technology across the world.

FM Screening Technology

FM screening is being adopted more widely by customers as a way of maintaining consistency and stability in the plate-making process, reducing the impacts associated with “problem” subject matter and improving quality. At drupa 2004,FUJIFILM will release an FM screening solution that will image both thermal and photopolymer plates, in conjunction with FUJIFILM's existing “Co-Res” AM screening technology.

Strengthen the production facility of CTP products over the world

The distribution of products to customers in an effective way is a critical part of the supply process in print production environments and one of FUJIFILM’s key goals.
FUJIFILM has been manufacturing plates across the world at various overseas manufacturing plants, all to the same very high quality standard, since the late 1980’s. In addition to existing plants in the USA, the Netherlands and Japan,FUJIFILM will start manufacturing CTP plates in China from April 2004.
This continued investment in new manufacturing facilities demonstrates FUJIFILM’s commitment to the Graphic Arts industry and the striving to provide the very best product quality and consistency allied to the best distribution network to the benefit of the customer.
With the changes and commitments outlined above, FUJIFILM’s slogan at drupa 2004 “Imaging Advantage with FUJIFILM” demonstrates FUJIFILM’s long term business philosophy and corporate vision to deliver consistent advantages to the customer that improve print performance and profitability.

ENDS