Kodak exceeds Prosper inkjet targets

Kodak has exceeded its Drupa target for Prosper inkjet press sales, with six deals sealed at the show by Tuesday, including a press bound for the UK.

The deals also include what will be Kodak’s first Prosper press in Germany, at Paragon Group subsidiary MeillerGHP.

“We had a show goal of three Prosper presses and we’ve exceeded that, and we’re just about to exceed our target for printheads as well,” said Eric Owen, vice-president worldwide sales and marketing at Kodak’s Enterprise Inkjet System division.

“At shows you often have deals announced that never become deals, but this is real business and firm contracts.”

The UK’s Lettershop, part of YM Group, has purchased its first high-speed inkjet press, buying a Prosper 6000C. The firm already uses Kodak inkjet heads on its own-design hybrid system.

“They’re a great partner of ours and helped bring that concept to market – they’re so creative,” Owen added.

Lettershop joint managing director Dave McGolpin said the Prosper will be an addition to Lettershop’s existing equipment.

“We hadn’t invested in a digital press like this before because we needed something that could run standard coated papers, and this does,” he explained.

He said the firm had seen growing demand for mailings containing images from its direct marketing and loyalty card customers.

“The Prosper will also service other parts of the group that have a digital requirement,” he added.

The press will be installed at Lettershop’s facility in Leeds in the next few months.