Digital giants honoured at EDP Awards

Several of the biggest names in digital printing have been recognised at the 14th annual European Digital Press (EDP) Awards.

EFI scooped a hat trick of prizes and Agfa, Ricoh, Mutoh and Bobst all also claimed gongs at the awards, which are handed out every year by the EDP Association, an organisation comprised of 20 leading European trade magazines in the printing industry. The Awards honour the best developments in print production tools, software developments, substrates, inks, materials and finishing systems. 

EFI’s three trophies came for its Fiery FreeForm Create variable data printing (VDP) software, the VUTEk 32h LED hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll inkjet printer and its VUTEk D Series LED roll-to-roll inkjet printers.

‘We are both honoured and proud in receiving three EDP Awards this year,’ said Paul Cripps, EFI regional vice president of sales. ‘These awards are important to us as they reflect our commitment to developing smart, breakthrough technologies as well as reinforce our hard work – all to better support our customers across market segments.’

Meanwhile Ricoh was recognised for the Pro C5300s Series colour press, the newest addition to the company’s sheetfed portfolio. Eef de Ridder, vice president, Commercial and Industrial Printing Group, Ricoh Europe, commented, ‘In these difficult times PSPs are under great pressure to increase their flexibility and creativity. The Pro C5300s is all about highly responsive production for small to medium volumes. We are delighted that the EDP Award recognises this evolution of Ricoh’s tried and tested technology and how it can help operations adapt to the challenges they are facing.’

Agfa’s award came for its wide-format Oberon RTR3300 inkjet printer, introduced earlier this year. This is the eighth time that Agfa has been recognised by the EDP for one of its wide-format printing solutions.

‘We are committed to providing complete printing solutions that enable printing companies to grow profitably. The EDP Award bears witness to the added value we provide to our customers,’ said Agfa product manager Philip Van der Auwera.

Mutoh Europe, which represents the Japanese manufacturer in the EMEA region, won for its XpertJet 461UF / 661UF LED UV direct-to-object printer series.

‘We are very proud to receive this prestigious and very valuable technical award for our new XpertJet direct to object printers,’ said Nick Decock, Mutoh Europe’s marketing manager. ‘The EDP awards represent a strong point of reference for decision makers in the digital print industry. For Mutoh it is a token of recognition and acknowledgement of the value of our research and development and the added value innovation in our products brings to customers.’