Agfa and EFI have announced that they have entered into a global strategic partnership aimed at leveraging each other’s cutting-edge technologies. The collaboration between two industry leaders marks a significant milestone in the wide and grand-format inkjet printing arena. It's win for both companies, with EFI getting access to Agfa's hybrid printers, and Agfa gaining access to EFI's roll-to-roll devices.
A smart move by both companies to leverage each's individual strengths
In a joint statement, it states that, within the framework of the partnership, Agfa will integrate EFI’s roll-to-roll system (notably EFU VuteK 5 metre models) into its offerings, while EFI will incorporate Agfa’s high-end (notably Jeti Tauro 3.2/3.3 metre models) hybrid inkjet printers 
into its suite of solutions. Both printing platforms have established themselves as front-runners in their respective fields. Customers and prospects stand to gain unparalleled advantages from this strategic collaboration. Through the mutual strengthening of the Agfa and EFI portfolios, both companies can present the broadest and most innovative product offering available in the market today, as well as a reliable service infrastructure.
The collaboration will debut on the global stage at the FESPA trade fair in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (19-22 March 2024), where Agfa and EFI will be showcasing the potential of this dynamic collaboration at their respective booths.
Agfa's Pascal Juery
Pascal Juéry, CEO of the Agfa-Gevaert Group, said: “Digital Print is one of our company’s key growth engines. This strategic partnership with industry leader EFI will broaden the range of options we can offer to our customers and expand the market reach for our state-of-the-art solutions. It truly is a milestone for our company and for the wide-format printing industry at large.”
Arnaud Calleja, Vice-President Digital Printing Solutions at Agfa, commented: “We are thrilled to be partnering with EFI. By integrating their roll-to-roll platform into our sign & display offerings, we are poised to deliver an exceptionally diverse product range with unprecedented value to our customer base. At the same time, we can both maintain a dedicated focus on product innovation within our respective specialized domains, ensuring our technologies remain at the forefront of digital print transformation.”
EFI's Frank PennisiFrank Pennisi, CEO of EFI, stated: “For over thirty years, EFI has focused on the analog-to-digital conversion of high-value print applications. EFI and Agfa are the most trusted brands in the industry and we now have the ability to accelerate our customers’ digital journey and make them even more productive. We are excited for this next chapter and the ability to leverage the strengths of both organizations to move the industry forward.”
Todd Zimmerman, SVP/GM Display Graphics & OEM Ink at EFI, stated: “This partnership represents a convergence of industry leaders, each bringing unique strengths to the table. The integration of Agfa’s hybrid platform into our solutions reaffirms our commitment to providing our customers with the most advanced and comprehensive options available.”
Currie Group’s Business Unit Manager – Sign & Display, Paul Whitehead comments: “Currie Group is excited by this announcement as it further enhances the product portfolio we offer the Sign & Display market. Agfa’s hybrid portfolio has a strong reputation and allows us to further target the commercial space, leveraging our long-standing customer relationships and renowned service and support.”
While more details from both companies will be forthcoming, it is understood that each will brand the shared equipment in their own liveries and EFI will continue to offer Fiery as a front-end, while Agfa will favour irs Asanti software.
