Presstek to use Drupa to drive recovery

Digital offset printing system supplier Presstek will use Drupa to promote its 75DI sheet-fed platform and create ‘more opportunities' for the company as 'the printing industry recovers from the effects of the economic downturn,' according to chairman, president and chief executive officer Stanley E. Freimuth.
 
Total revenue in 2011 was $120 million, a decrease of 6.7 percent, or $8.6 million, from 2010. Year-on-year, equipment revenue decreased 3.1 percent to $20.7 million, consumables revenue fell to $76.3 million from $82.3 million and service revenue declined 7.6 percent to $23 million.
 
Gross margin percent for 2011 was 28.9 percent compared to 32.6 percent in 2010. The reduction was primarily the result of an unfavorable equipment and consumables product mix, a stronger yen and unabsorbed manufacturing overheads in its factories, Presstek said.
 
Presstek did state that it had sold five 75DI sheet-fed presses on three different continents during 2011, with two installed and additional orders received during the fourth quarter.

'We will be driving this message harder to the market to create more opportunities for Presstek as the printing industry recovers from the effects of the economic downturn'

Freimuth said: ‘Presstek faced another challenging year in 2011, as adverse economic and industry conditions continued to negatively impact print volumes. However, we were pleased with activity in the fourth quarter. We had previously reported that we expected fourth quarter revenue and gross margin dollars to be flat relative to third quarter numbers, and our results were better than expected.    
 
‘In May we will be showcasing our 75DI press for the first time on a worldwide stage at the Drupa tradeshow in Düsseldorf, Germany. We are excited for the world to see the capabilities of this dynamic and versatile press. The technology in Presstek’s DI presses is truly remarkable, and has come a long way since the DI press was first introduced many years ago.'
 

Freimuth added: ‘The 75DI is the only press on the market that can go from digital file to saleable sheet in six minutes and print at 16,000 impressions per hour. It is also the most economical press in the market for four or more color jobs with run lengths between 500 and 20,000 impressions, which is the range of most jobs being run today.   
 
‘We will be driving this message harder to the market to create more opportunities for Presstek as the printing industry recovers from the effects of the economic downturn.’