Xeikon, Xerox and Pitney Bowes have recently made moves that strengthen their position in this emerging market.

Punch Graphix has followed the release of the X-800 IPDS front end for its Xeikon digital colour press with the appointment of Duncan Sargeant (pictured) as sales manager for transactional and DM UK.

Sargeant, who was previously head of print and mail at Anacomp, said: "The DM sector is having to work harder and offer more targeted mailings."

Xerox has formalised its arrangement with software firm GMC to include the firm's PrintNet package as part of its FreeFlow range of workflow tools. The first showing will be at Ipex.

Xerox FreeFlow brand manager Phil Gaskin said: "Market changes are being driven by the move towards colour. It's feasible to do high-volume transactional documents in full colour and I see more firms joining forces to take advantage."

GMC UK managing director Bill Parker said: "We will provide customers with faster, more consistent and more secure document processes."

Pitney Bowes recently concluded its 23m acquisition of Emtex, the supplier of workflow for high-volume direct mail and transactional digital print.

"Emtex helps us fill a critical gap between document creation and mail finishing in large production mail environments," said Pitney Bowes chairman and chief executive Michael Critelli.

DSTi Output chief executive Tim Delahay, who has pioneered high-volume personalised colour jobs that combine marketing and transactional work, said: "What this absolutely demonstrates is that people understand personalisation and the use of colour. This year, this market is going to experience massive growth."