Seiko and HP End OEM Agreement

As of December 2008, Hewlett Packard and Seiko I Infotech (SIIT) agreed to end an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement for the joint development, production and marketing of future low solvent-based large-format printers for the outdoor graphics printing market. Both companies will continue to serve this market, separately.

In an early 2009 statement, Seiko I Infotech promised to provide a wider range of products not only with its existing technology, but also with new technologies. 'We are committed to developing an extensive product line for the graphics market to meet our customers' needs,' says Masaomi Yoshioka, president of SIIT. 'An entry-level production printer will be introduced in spring 2009 in addition to other new products, to follow on the heels of the recently introduced ColorPainter H-104s and H-74s mild solvent printers.'

In addition, HP plans to continue to sell the HP Designjet 8000, 9000 and 10000 printers, a product of HP and Seiko's 2009 contract, and to provide parts, supplies and customer support to customers with these products. HP is also committed to developing solutions for this market which include the HP Designjet L65500, which was initially announced at drupa 2008 and is now available in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. The wide-format printer is already experiencing strong customer demand with nearly 25 early installations completed, HP reports.