The EFI-sponsored live event, which took place yesterday (29 September), featured contributions from printers and other industry experts discussing the implementation of wide-format services to their businesses.

PrintWeek executive editor Barney Cox outlined the current wide-format market, which in 2008, was worth €26bn (£23.8bn) in Europe alone.

He noted that the right strategy, coupled with a good production platform, could offer printers a business opportunity with a relatively low capital expenditure.

Stuart Hobbs, business director of Alderson Print Group's point-of-sale division, also took part in the webcast. He claimed that versatility was a key requirement for integrating new services into a company.

He said that Alderson's digital offering, which includes a HP Scitex Turbojet 8500, has helped bridge the gap between its screen and litho equipment.

While there was a steep learning curve involved, Hobbs added that clients had been quick to take up the wide-format offering with work coming in quickly.

This was a view echoed by Christian Pelegrie, managing director of Belgium-based Pelegrie, who said that the key strategy for growing a wide-format business was "to keep your ears open to your customers' needs".

The session, which was chaired by printweek.com editor Matt Whipp, also featured input from Frank Tueckmantel, vice-president of corporate marketing at EFI.

To listen to the webcast, click here.