Ricoh ups DTG drive with aeoon

Ricoh is ramping up its DTG business, partnering up with Austrian industrial textile printer developer aeoon Technologies, to offer a range of industrial scale garment printing systems. 

The move takes Ricoh into higher volume DTG (direct-to-garment) markets, and puts it in a stronger position to capitalise on what it says will be a “steep recovery” for DTG post-Covid.

Ricoh says the strategic technology partnership will enable it to focus on improved sustainability and better cost efficiency. Products will feature Ricoh’s inkjet printhead development “expertise and knowledge”. Colour management capability and print data generation will be provided by ColorGate, which is based in Germany and owned by Ricoh.

Until now Ricoh has focused on lower volume DTG systems,. With the Ri100, Ri1000 and Ri2000 offering low-cost solutions.

The future portfolio will include systems that drive sustainable on-demand textile production, and respond to the growth opportunities presented by decentralised fulfilment operations and centralised online businesses.

Dr Christian Compera, general manager, Global Industrial Print Solutions, Ricoh, said, “We are excited to collaborate in providing a scalable product range that allows clients to flexibly adapt to the steadily rising demand in digital textile printing. We respect aeoon Technologies’ expertise, knowledge, and its presence in the worldwide market of industrial DTG printing, developed with its portfolio of innovative DTG print solutions.

“Its approach to owning the entire digital textile production process, from design to manufacture, reflects Ricoh's commitment to developing future facing solutions. This newly formed partnership will set fresh benchmarks in quality, reliability, and Total Cost of Ownership that will benefit our clients into the future.”

Angelo Schiestl, founder and CEO of aeoon Technologies, says: “We are delighted to partner with Ricoh as a leader in inkjet technology, further extending our joint offering towards clients across the globe. Both companies share the same values, such as unrestricted commitment to sustainability, and sharing knowhow for training, education, and support to the benefit of our clients. The ‘aeoon digital institute’ and ‘Ricoh’s Textile Competence Centre’ are perfect examples of this approach.”