Argentina’s printers replace their aging machinery with modern equipment

Developments and market conditions in Argentina are akin to those in Chile.  The graphic arts industry comprises roughly 6,800 businesses. “In our market, run lengths are getting shorter and quality and color controls are becoming standard. The buyers of printed matter consider good quality and precise color match a prerequisite. Our customers expect a new press to be sufficiently automated for their needs and densitometers/colorimeters a must to have. They also will analyze inline processes (like our solutions: InlineFoiler, InlineColorPilot, InlineSorter, etc) into new configurations“, says Sergio Danelon, manroland Latina S.A. in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Danelon adds that Investment in machinery is geared mainly toward replacing  aging or obsolete technology rather than increasing production capacity. From his vantage point, customers are investing in MIS software, which to him represents a future trend for Argentina. One big concern is the fact, that manpower skill levels and experience seem to be declining inexorably.  As in any other country, the market is shrinking together with a prevailing trend to reduce headcount, primarily through automation. The situation of the graphic arts market is like everywhere else worldwide. Sergio Danelon: “The main problem facing the service bureaus and printers is the decrease in profit margins, the increase in salaries in addition to union conflicts, taxes and restrictions on the importation of supply materials (mainly cardboard and paper), slow payments by end users (60 / 90 days) in contrast to cash-and-carry payments demanded by suppliers, as well as a cutthroat price competition.“

In spite of all the headwinds and difficulties, the Argentinian steadfastly declares: “drupa is for our industry an event not to be missed; every important player in the industry will be represented at the show, not just for planned investments in equipment but to take the pulse of the industry in a global context as well. One of the undesirable side effects of the show is that lots of projects are put on hold during the months leading up to drupa in the expectation by customers of more competitive pricing and new developments coming down the pike. Our typical customer profile wants to see and touch the machines during the exhibition.“