18th June 1998
CCL and Xaar join forces to attack £3bn package printing market
Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL®) and Xaar plc have signed an agreement to produce the next generation of equipment for printing packaging. The new technology will allow manufacturers to change packaging printing on demand to cater for different languages, special offers or a wide variety of labelling.
The potential for this collaboration is huge. In the UK alone, the package printing business is projected to be worth £3bn in 1998*. Discussions have already begun with several companies keen to commission printer development. Production of printheads is about to commence on the Cambridge Science Park in the premises of Xaar's subsidiary Xaarjet. CCL is investing in the development of a toolkit of software and hardware modules which will form the building blocks of bespoke printers.
"Mass customisation has been a 'Holy Grail' of the packaging industry for many years," said Paul Auton, CCL's chairman. "Marketing requires frequent changes, which are disruptive for production. Our technology will let producers vary their designs online without set-ups and extra stock".
Mark Shepherd, Xaar's business development director, said, "We are delighted to announce this collaboration. Xaar and CCL will enable the packaging world to re-define its working practice. Goods we all buy in the supermarket will be packaged more cheaply and efficiently than has previously been possible".
Xaar was formed eight years ago to exploit its unique piezo inkjet technology initially conceived at CCL. Since then, Xaar has developed and licensed its technology to several multinationals for office printing applications. Xaar's inkjet technology is also well suited to on-line printing of consumer products, offering high quality images, high speed and the ability to print on a wide range of surfaces including plastics, metals, glass and textiles.
Xaar's subsidiary, Xaarjet, will make printheads and inks specifically designed for industrial applications. CCL will bring skills in electronics, software, mechanics and control to the design and manufacture of bespoke printer systems.
* Source: Profound Market Briefing: UK Commercial and Retail Printing. Does not include companies who do their own printing.
Notes for editors:
Cambridge Consultants develops breakthrough products, creates and licenses intellectual property, and provides business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide. For over 50 years, the company has been helping its clients turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether they are launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies. With a team of over 300 engineers, designers, scientists and consultants, in offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA), Cambridge Consultants offers solutions across a diverse range of industries including medical technology, industrial and consumer products, transport, energy, cleantech and wireless communications.
Created by three Cambridge graduates in 1960, the company has grown into a leading technology business, renowned worldwide for its ability to solve technical problems and provide innovative, practical solutions to commercial issues. In 2009, the company was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, and in 2011 was awarded a second Queen's Award, this time for Innovation. For more information visit: www.CambridgeConsultants.com
Cambridge Consultants is part of Altran, global leader in innovation and high-tech engineering consulting. Altran supports companies in the creation and development of their new products and services. For thirty years, the Group has been providing services to key players in the fields of Aerospace, Automotive, Energy, Railways, Finance, Healthcare, and Telecoms. Present at every stage of project development from new-technology strategic planning through to manufacturing, Altran is able to capitalise on its expertise in four key domains: Product Lifecycle Management, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering & Embedded Systems and IT Systems. With a global network of 17,000 collaborators (including 15,000 consultants) and 500 major clients throughout the world, the Group reported sales of €1,420m in 2011. More info: www.altran.com
For further information:
Cambridge Consultants
Patrick Pordage
Marketing Communications Director
Tel: +44 1223 420024
Patrick.Pordage@CambridgeConsultants.com