Inkjet opportunities behind Xerox deal to buy Impika

Xerox acquired Impika, a specialist in the design, manufacture and sale of production inkjet printing solutions used for label and package printing, to create the ‘broadest portfolio of xerographic and inkjet solutions’, according to Jeff Jacobson, president of global graphic communications operations, at Xerox.

In a blog post, Jacobson said: ‘Xerox is dedicated to helping our graphic communications customers succeed. For more than three decades we’ve done that by pioneering digital printing, initially with the first laser printer for transactional printing, then with the first print-on-demand device, and more recently with our iGen and other digital production color presses.

‘These printing technologies help our customers drive significant revenues, build innovative applications and develop services that are indispensable to their clients – and they will for years to come. However, as we look into the future, we know inkjet is one of the fastest growing technologies in graphic communications.

‘Inkjet promises fast digital print speeds, wide page widths and reasonable costs along with outstanding image quality – bringing the benefits of digital printing to a higher volume band than xerography will ultimately reach. IT Strategies projects that inkjet will experience a 21 percent compound annual growth rate in market revenue through 2015.

‘This huge opportunity is why we acquired Impika and its industry leading line of production inkjet solutions, based upon their proprietary aqueous (water-based) inkjet technology.

‘Impika products are among the most scalable, flexible and robust in the industry. They complement our waterless Xerox CiPress production inkjet systems, and our entire digital production printing portfolio to give customers more choices and more ways to succeed. Additionally, Impika brings deep inkjet know-how and a customer-centric culture very similar to our own.

‘Xerox now offers the industry’s broadest portfolio of xerographic and inkjet solutions to meet the varied needs of print providers – so they can grow their businesses and satisfy their clients.

‘We are committed to investing in the graphic communications industry so we can keep our valued customers at the forefront of technology.

‘Welcome aboard, Impika. We are extremely pleased to have you join the Xerox family.’