EFI and Highcon have entered into a global partnership agreement, intended to offer an integrated, end-to-end business productivity and workflow offer.
EFI Packaging and Corrugated Suites deliver off the shelf productivity benefits that target specific business areas to reduce waste and inefficiency in the packaging production process, driving cost savings with integrated eCommerce, ERP and shop floor data collection. Highcon’s digital cutting and creasing systems are designed to provide agile and flexible converting options for folding cartons, corrugated products and other printed items. EFI also markets and sells the Nozomi series of single-pass inkjet digital presses for corrugated applications.
In the coming Highcon Euclid and Beam software release, Highcon customers will be able to integrate with the EFI MarketDirect PackCentral online customer ordering portal and EFI Auto-Count 4D software, which automatically collects accurate, up-to-the-minute production data for digital presses and cutting devices.
The partnership is hoped to ‘significantly’ improve lead times for printed material development by delivering a fully optimised supply chain that brings together buyers, converters and digital converting equipment through robust two-way connectivity. This comprehensive platform delivers real value to businesses looking to improve efficiency, manage and optimise paper and inventory, reduce process waste and improve profits by leveraging automation.
Ken Hanulec, vice president, worldwide marketing at EFI, said, ‘We see the digital corrugated market as being a strong growth area. The EFI Nozomi solutions have really begun revolutionising the industry and as part of our holistic view of the marketplace we identified Highcon as being the leader in the next step in the digital process – digital finishing. Their digital cutting and creasing solutions enable the kind of on-demand production that drives customer success. We are excited about the potential of addressing the market together.’
Gaby Matsliach, senior vice president, general manager, EFI Productivity Software, added, ‘At EFI we have constantly focused our efforts on driving customer productivity and have released a comprehensive Suite of productivity solutions for the packaging industry. I have been impressed by Highcon’s similar drive for customer efficiency and we are delighted to partner with them in optimising digital procurement and production workflows.’
Highcon CEO Shlomo Nimrodi said, ‘We are excited about working with EFI towards a genuinely end-to-end digital solution, Nozomi and Beam platforms, coupled with workflow automation that will answer the market needs for sustainability and Industry 4.0 manufacturing efficiencies. Collaboration with other industry players in the digital space is a critical part of our go to market strategy and we will continue to drive this strategy demonstrating our commitment to provide the best comprehensive solution to the inherent limitations in the conventional process.’
