The FuturePrint Leaders Summit is taking place on the 23rd and 24th of March, where global leaders in print technology will offer insight, opinion and a vision for the future as the world emerges, a new market materialises, and new opportunities are revealed. Pascal Juery has been Chief Executive Officer of the Agfa-Gevaert Group since February 1, 2020.  He describes his aim as ‘to continue the transformation of Agfa in the digital world’. We caught up with him ahead of his Leaders Summit interview.

Juery envisages a continuing blurring of lines between segments as print providers target business growth, noting that users of Agfa Wide Format UV printers are using them for sign & display as well as packaging printing. So what does he think the future holds for print in a post-COVID world? “Printing is very much alive. It is everywhere. Automation is one of the key elements for the adaptation of inkjet printing. Inside industrial printing, it is important to be selective: which segments are most ready for it  or in highest need? And let us not forget the impact of sustainability, Covid results in an increased focus on the key aspects thereof.

“Industries are looking for new production processes which allow to react to the changing customer demands. The decorative industry is a good example thereof. Inkjet has proven to be ready for decorative printing, for example print on décor paper for laminate floor and furniture panels. Agfa is at the front of the developments in this field.”

Agfa’s wealth of in-house technical knowledge and a focus on the end customers’ needs drives investment and customer support, says Pascal, explaining: “Agfa is in a special position as we have in-house know-how of all key technical elements of inkjet printing solutions. Agfa is always developing inkjet solutions with the end-user in mind. Digital solutions will only be successful when the end-user is successful.

“Agfa is a strong brand and end-users are very open to discuss their needs and share their manufacturing processes to us. This not only connects us to them, but also allows us to make better products for them. For Agfa, inkjet is an area of investment, we are committed to the industry, and inkjet is an area of growth.”

What’s coming up for Agfa in terms of their development focus? “I am pleased to be able to say that we do see the packaging market as a great opportunity – particularly corrugated – I will be telling you more in the LIVE session that I am doing for the Leader’s Summit – so look out for that! I can also share with you my personal commitment to creating a fully sustainable business as I really believe that we only have one planet and we need to look after it! I will explain more about this in my interview with Frazer Chesterman at the event.”

Register for the session ‘Agfa's Leadership Vision For Inkjet’ here.

View the full Leaders Summit schedule here.

Find out more about Agfa here.