If you're ever looking for a company that has successfully integrated analogue and digital signage in a highly sophisticated manner, look no further than Visual Impact, located in Casablanca, Morocco, and don't hesitate to contact Nabil Mikou, the company owner and managing director.
Mikou runs three separate companies to manage the demand from event organisers and delivers a wide range of signage, analogue and digital, and sometimes combinations thereof. His new, versatile EFI VUTEk GS2000LX enables him to supply his customers with an extensive assortment of substrates for their promotional purposes.
Competitive market
Competition is tough, Mikou explained, with the many small and medium-sized sign and wide format print competitors in the region. Plus, larger media brokers have purchased their own printers to do display work in-house.
To combat this trend Mikou and his staff are in direct contact with architects, building construction developers, festival and event organisers, banks and insurance companies to organise campaigns. "We try to get involved in the process from the outset, make plans, provide information on the available options and new materials such as rigid media, etc.," Mikou explains. "In the case of Maroq Telecom, we even store materials on their behalf to make them available as soon as possible when a promotion is due. It is another opportunity for keeping in touch with our customers. We provide many different services and they are happy for us to provide solutions for their problems."
Versatility
The new EFI VUTEk GS2000LX can deliver higher speeds, which is useful particularly during periods with a heavy workload. LED drying means less dwell time after the printing process. Artwork is dried immediately after printing, which accelerates the overall production speed.
The system generates exceptional quality at any speed. It offers a 1000 dpi resolution when best quality is required and a lower resolution when faster turnaround is a must. The availability of nine colours provides added value for customers that want unusual applications and greater visibility.
When printing on rigid materials, which lend themselves to a new range of possibilities, Visual Impact achieves higher margins - not every competitor is in a position to do this. "The same applies to printing on very light materials such as silk, which is another option we can provide our customers with," says Mikou.
"Since the EFI VUTEk GS2000LX was introduced, Visual Impact has encountered fewer proofing problems. And by maintaining a "green" approach, we also have fewer problems when dealing with multinationals that observe European regulations," he continues.
"Turnaround figures are improving. A well-trained workforce is also important. We are in a better position than companies that are not familiar with colour management, print job streamlining, etc.," he says. "We have the right people who can provide support to customers throughout the project, i.e. with specific assistance, ideas, installations, custom applications and often stunning sign solutions. Over the years we have expanded our skills and developed completely integrated visual communication production.
"For us, there was no question of standing strong in the digital market," adds Mikou. "We have chosen to differentiate ourselves by providing added value and high quality. This is why we took the advice of Saga Digital and invested in an EFI VUTEk GS2000LX."
Wide range of options
"The VUTEk has allowed Visual Impact to attack new markets with very demanding colour-rendering requirements: events, stage decoration, photo exhibitions, interior design. We mainly use innovative new substrates, such as honeycomb cardboard, that are still not found very often in Morocco. It's another way to differentiate ourselves," says Sophie Lecomte, Visual Impact marketing manager.
"The ecological aspect is a plus. The new printer does not emit VOCs (organic volatile compounds), uses fewer consumables, reduces waste and has low energy consumption. As for productivity "the printing time has been reduced to 25 percent of what it was with the old printers, and immediate LED curing gives us a significant saving in time for markets like events, where time is often of the essence," adds Mikou.
Challenge
Integrate digital signage to differentiate the company and combat competition.
Solution
"We have chosen to differentiate ourselves by providing added value and high quality. This is why we took the advice of Saga Digital and invested in an EFI VUTEk GS2000LX."
Results
"The VUTEk has allowed Visual Impact to attack new markets with very demanding colour-rendering requirements."
