Seiko Instruments Sets Up US Office for Wide-Format Printing

Seiko Instruments USA and Seiko I Infotech have established an office in San Diego to develop Seiko's wide-format inkjet printing business. Patrick Ryan, former vice-president of Encad, a Kodak company, has been named general manager.

The address of the new office is: Seiko Instruments USA, Inc.; Seiko I Infotech Division; 13230 Evening Creek Dr. South, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92128.

Seiko I Infotech's 36-in. IP-4010 MKII and 54-in. IP-4500 MKII inkjets use Seiko's proprietary piezo printheads and odor-free, oil-based pigmented inks for fast throughput of graphics that are water resistant and lightfast. The printers can output adhesive-vinyl prints that can be displayed for up to a year outdoors without lamination. Print speeds range from 180 to 200 sq ft/hr in the 720 dpi standard and high-quality print modes, making the printers suitable for shops producing higher volumes of wide-format graphics.

Ryan said he is excited about the Seiko's technology, products and business-growth potential in North and South America: “Seiko Instruments is one of the few engineering companies in the world that has developed a proven, high-performance piezo inkjet head that can be directly applied to existing and new areas of wide-format printing.” He adds that, “Our short-term goal is to add quality personnel throughout the region to help support our growing channel of professional resellers and distributors.”

Another industry veteran to join the Seiko I Infotech Division is Mark Weatherholt, who will serve as Technical Support Manager. Weatherholt has more than 20 years of technical and engineering experience with companies such as Kodak, Encad, NCR, and Hewlett-Packard.
(Seiko I Infotech Division: 858-486-2277; www.Seiko-i.com)