Fiery – it’s the RIP that started the whole computer-to-print process, first by enabling colour copiers to become digital printers, taking PostScript page data from computers and sending it, rasterised, to the copier to print A4 and A3 pages without copying ‘off the glass.’ But why has Epson made this USD$591 million investment? Andy McCourt suggests 7 possibilities.
As the world installed base of colour copiers increased – mainly by Canon – so did the number of Fiery DFEs that were needed to drive them and both copiers and printers. Today there are well over 2 million Fiery print controllers in use globally and they are operating on all kinds of digital printers, from Photo-Art desktop printers, up to high volume commercial and packaging machines including the Landa BI digital nanographic presses.
The genius of the late Ephraim (EFI) Arazi, who also started and sold out of Scitex, changed the printing world forever. Even in this
world of multiple software RIP and printer control choices, the hardware-based Fiery ‘box’ still rules in terms of speed, colour control and ease of use. This is due to ASICs (Application-specific Integrated Chipsets) – the hardware onto which Fiery embeds its proprietary software. The purely software DFEs (such as Xerox FreeFlow and dozens of other software RIPs) run an any computer you chose so long as it has enough memory, CPU speed and hard drive capacity.
Fiery boxes, as application-specific DFEs, differ from machine-to-machine: the Ricoh Fiery differs from the Canon, which differs from the Xerox, Konica Minolta, Fujifilm etc. Fiery, when owned by EFI (the company not the person), even developed the DFE and UX for Landa’s Nanographic B1 presses.
So, the Fiery products are proven, top-of-the tree and with global reach. There are also thousands and thousands of operators who can drive a Fiery RIP, whatever application-specific version it is.
Reason #1: Market-leading RIP and workstations with trained global workforce
But, what about wide format – Epson’s strongpoint? Some would argue that Fiery controllers are mostly for cut-sheet digital but in recent years Fiery/EFI developed RIP workflows that can output to multiple engines – including wide format. In fact, as early as 2000, I was marketing an Epson SRA3 printer for proofing – driven by a Fiery RIP box with DuPont colour management. Also, Epson has in fact been a Fiery customer, with the FierySpark software for Mac environments, and also ColorWise ICC profile generator. Fiery XF7/8 Pro server is also compatible with all Epson wide format printers.
Reason #2: Over 2 million new customers. It’s a good stand-alone business with strong partner relationships.
However, the RIP and CM environment in wide format is vastly different to the A3 cut sheet production print environment, where Fiery hardware and Command Workstations dominate. Many serious wide format printers use Caldera (owned by Dover Corp), Onyx (owned by Canon), ColorGate (owned by Ricoh) or other RIPs tailored for wide format such as Wasatch, Xitron/Harlequin, Ergosoft etc.
Fiery XF, for example, is an excellent CM RIP, formerly known as the Best Rip before acquisition by EFI. Well-suited to wide format. These days, all workflows strive for end-to-end capabilities that include e-commerce, cutting and finishing
Reason #3: Access to excellent colour management and multiple-printer networking plus end-to-end workflows.
Regarding the acquisition, some of Epson’s competitors become customers too. It’s a clever strategic move by Epson and prevents any other company obtaining the priceless Fiery patents and know-how.
Reason #4: Puts some of the world’s best RIPing and colour management technologies under Epson’s control and out of ownership by competitors.
On the cut-sheet production print front, Epson’s most productive machine, the Workforce Enterprise C21000 A3/A4, while very impressive at 100ppm (A4s), is still really an office/enterprise machine rather than a commercial production device. If ever Epson decides to enter the commercial cut-sheet production colour sector in the way Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, HP, Kyocera and Fujifilm/Xerox have – they have the all-important DFE and workflow under their wing.
Reason #5: Opens the door to any future entry into SRA3 commercial production cut-sheet.
Of course, since the splitting of EFI into 3 companies – EFI wide and superwide inkjet, eProductivity MIS & workflow software and Fiery; under the auspices of Siris Capital private equity – we have now seen 2 of the 3 sold off. What about the third – EFI itself? Epson is not really into superwide (up to 5 metre) inkjet and its flatbed SC7000 UVs have not set the world on fire but, to be fair, it is an entry-level flatbed. If ever EFI itself was put up for sale, Epson, having successfully acquired Fiery, could possibly (and this is speculation), be an ideal candidate to buy it and move into superwide, high volume flatbed and hybrid printers.
Reason #6: Establishes good relationship with Siris Capital should EFI come up for sale.
The penultimate reason could be that Epson needs to invest in areas that offer more future-proofing. Office MFPs and home office printer sales are declining rapidly (some surveys say by 26% since the pandemic), but commercial/industrial print and packaging is on the increase. Epson has already experienced good success in the label market with its SurePress L-4733AW and 6534AW industrial label presses and Monna Lisa textile device. Acquiring Fiery plugs the company into a much broader global network of industrial opportunities, especially packaging and textiles.
Reason #7: Expands Epson’s reach into industrial & textile printing.
These reasons on why Epson has acquired Fiery are speculative in nature, and not hard evidence-based or in any way sanctioned by the selling and buying parties. At the end of the day, it’s a good business decision by Epson and will affect every level of our industry.
Andy McCourt
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