#SeikoOpenWeek2023: An Outstanding Achievement
Frankfurt, Germany - FuturePrint had the honour of attending the highly acclaimed #SeikoOpenWeek2023, which took place at Seiko Instruments GmbH headquarters. This remarkable event featured an array of captivating talks, live demonstrations, and collaborative projects with valued technology partners from diverse industries across Europe.
Since its inception in 2021, #SeikoOpenWeek has grown into a much-anticipated gathering, drawing a remarkable turnout of over 170 international attendees this year. The vision of the Seiko Team was to provide delegates with unparalleled access to inkjet experts who have collectively transformed inkjet projects into tangible realities. To achieve this, Seiko Instruments GmbH invited People and Technology, Kao, Itaca, Tigres, Tiger, Meteor and Nazdar to showcase cutting-edge technologies in action for various printing applications within the live production area on-site.
During an interview with one of the Seiko Instruments GmbH partners at the event, Edgar Facundo from Itaca, expressed the sentiment that #SeikoOpenWeek2023 served as an ideal platform for engaging with OEMs, Integrators, Academia, and potential new customers. He emphasised that the event was not focused on existing, saturated markets, but rather a dynamic gathering aimed at venturing into new inkjet markets and applications, by exchanging ideas, knowledge, and insights.
Speaking with Aliasgar Eranpurwala, Head of Department (Inkjet Printheads) at Seiko Instruments GmbH, about the overwhelming success and attendance of the event, he attributed it to the multitude of challenges inherent in turning inkjet ideas into reality. According to Ali, challenges bring opportunities and tackling challenges collaboratively through sharing expertise and know-how drives success.
#SeikoOpenWeek2023 saw attendees taking part in enlightening talks, and interesting panel discussions and observing the fruitful collaborations between Seiko Instruments GmbH and its technology partners. What truly set this event apart was its relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, providing partners and delegates with an opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussions and personally experience the technology, free from the pressures often found at conventional trade shows.
We had a chat with a few people at #SeikoOpenWeek2023 and this is what they said:
Josef Guggenberger, Zimmer: ‘Seiko’s recirculation technology for their heads is particularly well suited to textiles and pigment inks. Pigment inks are one of the most difficult for inkjet to handle because the inks are heavier and therefore more challenging to use through an inkjet head. Recirculation inkjet technology helps avoid clogging and sedimentation. In addition, Zimmer also receives a very good level of support from the Seiko team which helps us solve problems while creating the best possible solution for success. Seiko Open Week is a good event and you meet a lot of specialists in the industry and you get a chance to see technology in a production setting and this helps spark ideas and learn new things.’
Martin Letzner, Matti: ‘The Seiko print head is a very robust print head which suits industrial use and working with the Seiko team makes it very easy. They are fast to work with and we have a very open discussion culture which makes it better to succeed with sophisticated projects.’
Matthew Pullen, Meteor: #SeikoOpenWeek2023 is a really good opportunity to see a diverse group of customers in one room in one week - we get to hear about market trends in a range of sectors from packaging to textile to additive manufacturing. Success for Meteor is when you have the right people with the right technology coming together at the right time. Despite the challenging economic climate, we are seeing this as an opportunity to re-focus with our partners to open up new market sectors. Seiko are great as they have built strong relationships with machine builders such as People & Technology to help us all leverage access to a wide range of expertise.
Roberto Campos, People & Technology: ’People & Technology were established many years ago in the Castellon area in Spain to serve the ceramic industry - since the revolution for inkjet printing has been so successful we need to begin to develop new markets such as corrugated and textile. We see Seiko as one of the best companies in our market which is why we collaborate and have a very good relationship with them. Both the technology and the great way they work as people enable us to succeed.’
Roland Biemans, LMNS, ‘Seiko is very personal and direct and they understand our needs and then deliver on them. We have honesty between us which means we can succeed together. This industry needs this kind of (Seiko) approach - sometimes there is too much marketing spin and not enough honesty. The success of #SeikoOpenWeek underlines that for those looking to solve difficult problems with niches, there is plenty of opportunity by working with the right partners such as Seiko we can succeed and overcome the obstacles and uncertainty in the world economy.’
The Seiko Instruments GmbH Organising Team
Throughout the discussions and interviews conducted at #SeikoOpenWeek2023, a recurring theme emerged: Seiko Instruments GmbH inkjet technology possesses the essential characteristics to meet the demands of numerous industries. Combined with a positive and collaborative culture, this fosters an environment conducive to success. Additionally, their growth serves as a testament to their unwavering dedication to helping partners and customers unlock new potentials and cultivate business growth through strong partnerships.
Seiko Instruments GmbH would like to thank the following for attending, supporting and participating: People & Technology, Kao Chimigraf, Adphos, Global Inkjet Systems, Nazdar, Itaca Textile, Meteor Inkjet, Tigital inks, Bluhme Systeme, Barberan, IST Intech, Lambda Technology, Sunjet, Tigres, Zimmer, Trijet and iPrint.
We at FuturePrint wholeheartedly congratulate the Seiko Instruments GmbH team and their partners for orchestrating such a remarkable event and extend our gratitude for their warm hospitality.