Everyone knows Fiery, even if they don't knowingly use the industry-leading Digital Front-end. In an unexpected move, Fiery has announced independence following separation from Electronics For Imaging, while remaining wholly-owned by private equity firm Siris Capital.
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| Fiery workstations, DFEs and servers are ubiquitous in the graphic arts, including wide format |
Fiery provides leading Digital Front End (DFE) technology for production and industrial printing. In breaking news, it has announced that it has been separated from Electronics For Imaging, Inc. ('EFI') and established as a separate company that will operate independently, while remaining owned by EFI’s owner, Siris Capital Group LLC.
Toby Weiss, long-time Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Fiery, will continue to lead the business as CEO of Fiery, with Jeff Jacobson serving as Executive Chairman of Fiery in addition to his role as Executive Chairman of EFI.
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| EFI Chairman Jeff Jacobson |
“This realignment best positions Fiery, the leading global DFE provider, to accelerate investment and win in its current markets while also strategically expanding its footprint into key adjacencies – as exemplified by Fiery’s recent acquisition of CADlink Technology Corporation,” said Mr. Jacobson. “I have always believed that digital imaging would not be where it is today without Fiery, and its separation from EFI will allow it to best serve customers in the DFE market.”
“Fiery solutions have always been about enabling digital print and making print engines better, and this is a milestone in furthering that mission,” said Mr. Weiss. “Fiery OEM partners will benefit knowing that they are working with a company that is completely focused on adding value to their print platforms with world-class color management, high-performance image processing, and automated workflows.
Now a 'neutral' partner to OEMs
“Fiery will remain focused on working closely with its OEM partners, including the EFI Inkjet business, to continue developing cutting-edge technology that drives the next generation of automation, accuracy, and profit potential in digital printing,” Mr. Weiss continued. “Fiery now has a greater ability to serve as a neutral partner to ensure OEMs capture success within digital print. We look forward to accelerating our investment as a standalone company, while driving our expanding product portfolio, incorporating world-class color algorithms, and developing advanced cloud technology.”
“Fiery is a foundational player in digital imaging,” said Tyler Sipprelle, Partner at Siris. “Establishing Fiery as an independent company positions the business to deepen its commercial and strategic partnerships across the industry.”
Footnote: EFI was founded by the late Efi Arazi, who realised his name could also stand for Electronincs for Imaging. Arazi had previously founded Scitex - now somewhere inside of HP - and changed the way prepress works forever. Before that, he invented video camera and transmission systems for NASA, enabling the scanning and mapping of the Moon by Lunar Orbitors - paving the way for the Lunar landing in 1969. Fiery - the first 3 letters also an anagram of his name - was his project after selling out of Scitex and today there are over 2 million Fiery servers globally, driving printers, copiers, wide format devices - anything that can print. WFOL publisher Andy McCourt interviewed Efi Arazi at Ipex 1993, just as he was launching Fiery. "He was unquestionably a genius but like most brilliant inventors, he was very relaxed about his gift. He was a warm and charming man - one whose charisma remains with you for life, even after only one meeting."
