Andrew Bailes Collins of Ultimate Tech discusses the software developer’s partnership with Canon to provide the digital front-end for the press manufacturer’s new LabelStream LS2000 water-based inkjet press, unveiled at Labelexpo Americas 2024.
I’m James from inkish TV. We’re reporting from LabelExpo America’s 2024 and I’m talking to Andrew Bales Collins who is head of products at Ultimate Tech, software development company
James: Andrew, very nice to meet you.
Andrew: Nice to meet you James.
James: Thank you very much for your time. So you are a firsttime exhibitor at LabelExpo Americas?
Andrew: The actual first time we’ve ever exhibited at this particular show, yes.
James: So, what brought you here, what was the motivation?
Andrew: We’ve always played in the label space. We’ve always had customers in the label space, but really due to a lot of the changes that are going on in the market, shorter runs, the move to digital, use of embellishment, things like that, it has changed the market. It has made it more attractive, more opportunity. So yeah we come here to exploit that and also we have quite a few partners in this already, in the show here, so it’s a good opportunity to network and see them and just learn more and attack this market a little bit more.
James: So you’re, so it’s an increasing focus for the company then?
Andrew: Yeah definitely. And also, last year at Printing United we released a new module called Lane Flow, which is based specifically about lanes and labels, and we’ve added some things to that. We’re also doing batching. Our focus has always been automation. So a combination of all those things makes us think that, you know, we’ve got a really good story to tell you here and a really good value proposition. So yeah, so here we are, on the second day, things are going well. One day ago.
James: What’s been the reception from visitors to your booth?
Andrew: It’s been very good actually. I mean a lot of them don’t know us, so that’s the first battle getting over. That sort of recognition hurdle, but yeah once we get over that, then the story we can tell is quite compelling. Not for everybody of course, because it’s a very varied market and we know where we’re strong and we know where we’re weak, but yeah, it’s been really good.
James: What do you consider your particular strengths?
The digital side, because that’s really where we come from if you like. From the conventional side of it and also the way the software works, and the way it’s been developed, and the way the, if you like, the requirements of that particular market it fits very well what we’ve done over the last two or three years in development and also fits with our future strategy as well.
James: How are the needs of a standard label converter changing when it comes to their kind of workflow software?
Andrew: Well, not using physical dyes anymore, digital finishing lasers and more SKU’s, faster, pushing more product through, digital devices on the other end, use of special colors, whites, embellishment, and other things like that. So, these things we already do in other markets. So, it kind of, we don’t have to reinvent that part, we’ve got it, so we think it’s a really really good opportunity for us.
James: And, there’s been a big announcement this week in Chicago. A partnership between you and Canon can you tell us a little bit about that?
Andrew: Yes so, the device behind us the LS2000, the digital press label press that they’ve launched. We’ve developed specific unique functionality for that, that fits within our products. So, we partnered with Canon and then we have a specific module that will drive this and and the unique features it’s got, so very excited about that.
James: So you are providing the digital front end for the machine?
Andrew: The front end drives this, controls the DFE and then delivers the product through. And also potentially the finishing as well. We can also communicate with that.
James: Were there any specific tweaks to your sort of standard system that you had to implement or that you wanted or Canon wanted?
Andrew: There were and I’m not sure I can talk about them, but there were specific things that they do, and they wanted, that we adopted so, communication side of it and also streamline is some of the functionality. So yeah, really excited to let customers get their hands on it
James: So what do you think will be the benefits to a converter that installs that system uh that is obviously using your digital content?
Andrew: There are a few benefits, but the major one is that they’re going to be able to maximize the productivity and the capabilities of this this new device. So yeah, really excited.
James: What does the future hold for Ultimate Tech, do you have any other plans on the horizon?
Andrew: Yeah, I mean the road map is fluid should we say because the needs of customers changed so much, but we play in literally almost any market where you need a layout. So we’re driving conventional presses, we’re driving high-s speed inkjet, we’re driving sheet fed presses, we’re driving wide format devices, we’re driving label lane fed machines, so yeah it’s more of the same. Our concept is one centralized solution that can drive any print engine with any kind of product, so that’s that’s what we’re focused on, and, completely automated so that’s uh that’s our vision and that’s what we’re striving towards.
James: Well Andrew thank you very much for your time, nice to talk to you
Andrew: Very nice to talk to you
This video was created by INKISH at LabelExpo Americas