Kemtek breaks new ground with HP Indigo digital presses
In 2023, Kemtek will celebrate 35 years in business. That’s a significant landmark for any company, but especially for one in such a dynamic and fast-paced industry. Kemtek’s growth and evolution since 1988 mirrors the remarkable advances and innovations that have occurred in its key business areas.
In order to stay relevant, Kemtek has had to constantly reinvent itself as a company – something which it has proved adept at doing as it has evolved from being an imaging services company in the twentieth century, to today’s ‘beyond technology’ enterprise.
A major step forward for Kemtek came when the print division began exploring digital printing in 1997. This led to an agreement with HP Indigo, the trailblazer in the field, to distribute and support their groundbreaking Indigo digital presses in South Africa.
Today, Kemtek is proud to be the sole distributor for HP Indigo products throughout the southern African region.
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Technology and beyond
Kemtek’s current branding is revealing – the fresh, green colour palette speaks to the importance that the company places on sustainable technologies. The tagline ‘beyond technology’ in turn references how Kemtek is no longer just a distributor of devices, but is rather a company that offers a range of services including device financing, aftersales support, trainings and original consumables.
In the process, Kemtek has helped its reseller and customers stay ahead of key trends. Let’s take a look at three areas where the company has made a real difference.
Accelerated adoption of digital printing
The pandemic accelerated many previously existing trends, not least of which was the move away from traditional printing towards digital. As the sole distributor of HP Indigo digital printing presses in southern Africa, Kemtek has been ideally positioned to provide the solutions the industry needs.
Now that digital presses can match the quality of litho and offset printing, and are closing the speed gap, the focus has shifted to areas where digital offers unparalleled flexibility. As well as making printing more sustainable, the absence of plates and chemicals means that digital printing is ideally suited to short runs, and can offer an exceptional degree of personalisation. This is very much aligned with modern branding and packaging trends, and results in a much more engaging end user experience.
The ability to positive impact purchase decisions and brand sentiment makes packaging an especially important communications tool. With digital printing, changes can be made in seconds, which helps brands get new or enhanced products on shelves faster.
Factor in the ability to incorporate security features and bridge the gap between the real and online worlds, and the advantages of digital printing in the packaging space are clear.
Sustainability is key
Collectively, we are facing unprecedented environmental challenges. Consumers are looking to the private sector to provide leadership and inspiration, so companies need to enhance their own sustainability credentials and be seen to genuinely care.
Advances in digital printing are delivering sustainability benefits through the use of eco-safe inks, and the ability of modern presses to use a vast array of substrates, including materials that are recycled (or recyclable) and compostable.
The importance of flexibility
Agility and adaptability have been identified as vital modern business attributes, and nowhere is this more true than in printing and packaging. Kemtek has a proven track record of helping its customers keep their finger on the pulse of trends that shape demand for certain solutions.
Flexible packaging is a case in point. Shifting consumer attitudes and behaviour, including shopping online, mistrust of major brands and the desire for single servings of food items, have all increased demand for pouches.
Change is a constant
The pace of technological change shows no sign of slowing down, but through 35 years of innovation set against a backdrop of seismic events in South Africa, one things has remained the same. That is Kemtek’s 100% focus on providing solutions that go beyond technology, and helping its resellers to grow and thrive through leveraging the latest technology across the print, auto ID, and 3D printing sectors.
To learn more about Kemtek’s range of technology solutions, contact Wendy McLoughlin on +27 (0)82 417 7188 or by email at wendyl@kemtek.co.za, or visit https://kemtek.co.za/prod_brand/hp/
