PLATES AND PRINTERS SHINE FOR FUJIFILM

Industry supplier Fujifilm saw both its offset plates and digital presses revenue rise in the half year to 30 September, and inkjet sales continue their steady climb.

Sales at the Materials division, which includes Graphic Communications, were up 14.3 per cent to ¥352bn (A$3.75bn), while operating profits were the same as the prior corresponding period at ¥39.4bn (A$400m).

Overall sales at the group increased by 12 per cent to nearly ¥1,350bn (A$14.4bn), while operating income was also up by 12 per cent to ¥120.8bn (A$1.29bn). Fujifilm has revised its forecasts for the full year upwards.

The company said the increase in plate revenue was due to price increases “despite sluggish demand” for offset printing in some regions “resulting from soaring material and energy prices.”

In equipment sales higher revenue was driven by more sales to print businesses in the US and Europe, while it described sales of industrial inkjet printheads as “strong” due to increased demand in the European markets for building material printing and textiles, and ink sales also rose.

During the first half of the year, the two sides of the business, Fujifilm Australia, which supplies the plates and inkjet printers, and Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia, which supplies the toner-based printers, came together, and showed as one at PacPrint.