Launching New Products in the SG, IP and TA Markets and Expanding Applications

「In the SG market, we announced the UJ330H-160 hybrid UV printer, capable of producing a wide range of graphics in a single machine. In the TA (textile and apparel) market, we added the TS330-1800, capable of seamlessly printing wide-format textiles, to the dye-sublimation transfer printer lineup.」

「During the second quarter, in the SG (sign graphics) market, we launched the UJV300DTF-75, our first UV-DTF (UV-curable Direct to Film) printer. It uses a decorating process that transfers designs printed on dedicated film to finished products or large substrates regardless of their shape or material, reducing the risk of misprints because the design is not printed directly onto the substrate. We also launched the JV200-160/-130, dedicated entry-level print-only machines newly added to our popular CJV200 series of integrated print-and-cut machines and equipped with eco-solvent ink. In the TA (textile and apparel) market, we announced the TS200-1600 dye-sublimation transfer inkjet printer, which delivers high image quality and quality, significantly expands the range of dye-sublimation transfer printing applications, is easy for anyone to use and includes numerous functions that improve operational efficiency.」

「In the TA market, the company announced the Tx330-1800 and Tx330-1800B. The TxF300-1600 is a DTF printer with a maximum print width of 160 cm, used to produce transfer sheets for DTF (Direct to Film) printing. While incorporating functions for reliable and stable operation similar to the previous TxF150-75, it achieves maximum productivity approximately 4 times higher.」

「During the second quarter, in the SG (sign graphics) market, we announced the CJV200 series of integrated print-and-cut machines, designed to deliver high image quality and ease of use for anyone. In the IP (industrial products) market, we announced the JFX200-1213 EX, a new flatbed UV printer in an appropriately sized format offering high productivity, high added value and high image quality. In the TA (textile and apparel) market, where DTF models continued to sell well, we announced the TxF300-1600, with productivity approximately 4 times that of the previous model, as well as the 3.2 m-wide TS330-3200DS super-wide hybrid printer, capable of both direct sublimation and dye-sublimation transfer printing in a single machine. These and other new products were announced to meet customer needs and contribute to future revenue growth.」

「During the period, in the IP market, we added the JFX600-2531, a large 2.5 m × 3.1 m model, to the lineup of the high-speed, high-resolution JFX600 flatbed UV printer. We also began selling the Kebab HS 360-degree printing option, which supports angled shapes and delivers productivity of up to 3 times that of conventional cylindrical printing.」

「In the TA (textile and apparel) market, sales of the TxF150-75 DTF (Direct to Film) machine launched during the period performed well and increased substantially.」

「During the second quarter, we announced the simultaneous global launch of the UJV100-160Plus entry-level UV printer for the SG (sign graphics) market, which has evolved further through low power consumption and three added functions, and the UCJV330 series of UV printers, designed to enable a wide range of expression on diverse substrates and lead the future SG market.」

「During the fiscal year, we continued to pursue strategies aimed at expanding sales in response to recovering demand and future business expansion. These included relocating the JP Demo Center, our largest showroom in Japan; announcing new products and technologies for the textile and apparel markets at ITMA, the world's largest exhibition of equipment for those markets, held once every four years in Milan, Italy; and establishing a sales subsidiary in Vietnam, where economic growth has been significant.」

「Although the printer-body business was affected by difficulties in procuring parts, the core mid-range models, the JV/UJV100 entry model and cutting plotters featuring the new CG-AR series performed well. In addition, sales of the new JV/CJV330 increased steadily, and ink sales also performed well.」

「Revenue was ¥13,707 million, up 11.9% year on year. Although the printer-body business was affected by difficulties in procuring parts, sales of cutting plotters, including the JV/UJV100 entry model and the new CG-AR, performed well. Core mid-range models also performed steadily.」

「In the SG, IP and TA markets, new products announced and launched in the previous period continued to achieve steady sales growth, while existing core products generally performed steadily despite constraints on the supply of printer bodies.」

「During the fourth quarter, we newly launched the JV/CJV/TS330 series of flagship models for the SG (sign graphics) and TA (textile and apparel) markets, as well as the CG-AR series of cutting plotters. We also continued proactive sales activities, including developing new channels and implementing initiatives to raise the quality, in addition to the frequency, of the mini-exhibition strategy pursued to date.」

「Entry models such as the JV/UJV100-160 for the SG market and TS100-1600 for the TA market also made a significant contribution to revenue growth.」

「During the period, following the second half of the fiscal year ending March 2021, we announced and launched 6 new models. In addition to strengthening the lineup of printers primarily for the IP (industrial products) market, we launched digital coating machines that coat the surfaces of printed media such as resin and metal, strengthening our product portfolio that provides high-value-added automation solutions for printing processes.」

「In particular, new products such as the JV/UJV100-160 for the SG market and TS100-1600 for the TA market contributed to the recovery in revenue, while existing products, particularly those for the SG and IP markets, also recorded substantial increases in unit sales.」

「(1) In the SG market, we began selling the JV100-160 roll-to-roll inkjet printer, offering customers high operability based on the high image quality and reliability technologies we have accumulated over many years as a market leader. (2) In the IP market, we announced the 3DUJ-2207, which delivers full-color output of more than 10 million colors and modeling accuracy equivalent to our high-end 3DUJ-553 UV-curable inkjet 3D printer, while maintaining high performance and achieving a body price approximately 1/5 that of the 3DUJ-553 through an extensively compact design.」

「The new UJV100-160 launched in March has been gaining traction steadily, and we expect sales to expand going forward.」

「However, the new JV/CJV300Plus series launched in September got off to a smooth start, and we expect revenue to expand going forward.」

「Although revenue from the new large-format JFX200-2513EX launched in May increased,」

「Sales of products for the TA market were ¥1,455 million, up 6.0% year on year. Sales increased year on year as the launch from March of the new TS55-1800, which offers low running costs and long-duration continuous operation, took effect.」

「By leading with the UCJV series, launched in November 2017, revenue from the SG (sign graphics) market increased substantially. The UCJV is an innovative product equipped with environmentally friendly UV ink that can print and cut in a single machine, and is expected to become firmly established as a core model for the SG market over the long term. Revenue from SG-market products was ¥17,664 million, up 9.2% year on year. The UCJV series continued to perform well.」

「The TS55-1800 is a digital printer designed to meet the strong needs of fashion apparel manufacturers to produce faster, more attractively and at a reasonable cost, delivering both high productivity and high image quality at a low price. In addition, fitting the newly developed optional Mini Jumbo Roll Unit and 10 kg Ink Supply Unit enables extended continuous operation even at high print speeds, which we believe will help expand the consumables business for ink, media and other products.」

「As usual, our group exhibited at FESPA Global Print Expo 2018, one of the world's largest international exhibitions for the industrial printing industry, held in Germany in May. We prominently showcased four strategic new products, receiving favorable reviews from many quarters and demonstrating a strong presence. In particular, the UCJV300-160 and 3DUJ-553 received EDP Awards, presented to innovative products that have had a major impact on the industrial printing industry.」

「In November, we began selling the UCJV300-160 and UCJV150-160 printers for the sign graphics market (SG market), equipped with UV-curable ink and capable of printing and cutting in a single machine, as well as the 3DUJ-553 UV-curable inkjet 3D printer, which produces full-color models with more than 10 million colors.」

「First, we launched the UCJV300-160 and UCJV150-160 inkjet printers for the sign graphics market (the SG market), equipped with UV-curable ink and capable of printing and cutting in a single machine. Although competition in the SG market is intensifying, these products seek to open up the future of the signage market by offering UV-curable ink as a new option.」

「Sales volumes of the new small flatbed products launched in October 2016 increased substantially, while ink revenue also rose significantly. As a result, revenue was ¥4,103 million, up 11.7% year on year.」

「(IP market) Large flatbed models grew into core products, increasing unit sales. In addition, the product launched in November 2015 received high market praise for its print accuracy, resulting in increased unit sales. Consequently, despite the yen's appreciation, revenue increased to ¥11,753 million, up 8.1% year on year.」

「(IP market) In addition to the conventional compact models, large flatbed models grew into core products, driving an increase in unit sales. In addition, the new product launched in November 2015 received high market praise for its print accuracy, resulting in increased unit sales. Consequently, despite the yen's appreciation, revenue increased to ¥7,496 million, up 7.2% year on year.」

「The new LED-UV-curable inkjet printer launched in April 2016 achieved increased unit sales worldwide.」

「In the SG (sign graphics) market, we continued global promotion of core products such as the JV300 series launched in the previous consolidated fiscal year. We also launched the SIJ-320UV, a large-format UV-curable inkjet printer with a 3.2 m print width, in April 2015, targeting primarily demand in developing countries for large, high-resolution signage. In the IP (industrial products) market, we launched the new UJF-7151plus in November 2015 to expand inkjet printer applications into industrial printing for products such as consumer electronics and automobiles.」