BUSINESS / NEWS signlink signlink signlinkmagazine 14 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 252 - April / May 2024 Uniguest and onemedia sign distribution deal Uniguest and onemedia have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for MediaStar and eStream platforms in the UK and Ireland. MediaStar IPTV offers streaming and digital signage distribution management globally. EStream is a video platform that supports teaching and learning goals through video libraries, lecture capture, content sharing, and content cataloguing technology. As a result of the agreement, the MediaStar and eStream platforms will now be available exclusively through onemedia. This partnership enables Uniguest to expand its market reach and offer a broader range of products via onemedia. John Jeffreys, sales and marketing director of onemedia, says: “eStream is a product that we’ve admired for many years, so to now add this to our portfolio is significant. “We feel that there is a genuine opportunity to develop the eStream business further afield in the Higher Education and Enterprise markets and we look forward to doing this in partnership with our trade customers.” Tim Hoddy, vice president of sales, Europe at Uniguest, adds: “Our mission at Uniguest is clear, world class digital engagement technology to allow our clients to communicate better.” [L to R] John Jefferies, sales and marketing director and Chris Wood, sales director at onemedia; and Shaun Oxenham, EVP of Major Accounts at Uniguest Premier Paper Group has struck an exclusive deal to distribute Diplast, a twinwall fluted polypropylene used for short-term signage applications. The deal means Premier will have exclusive distribution rights for the material throughout the UK via Premier and Ireland via GPMI, which Premier acquired in January 2023. Diplast is known for its durability, lightweight construction, and recyclability, which is offered in a variety of bespoke sizes, colours, and thicknesses. The product’s ability to be recycled and carbon captured via Premier’s carbon capture scheme in the UK and Carbon Balanced in Ireland means Diplast fits with the company’s environmental goals. Diplast’s uses extend across various industries including point-of-sale (POS), signage, packaging, and traffic/road management. Steve Jones, director of Display Sheets and Thermoplastics at Premier, comments: "This partnership marks a significant milestone for Premier. Diplast is a fantastic product for the signage industry." Premier will be undertaking nationwide delivery of the exclusive polypropylene product Premier Paper strikes exclusive deal with Diplast Soyang Hardware opens newly upgraded showroom Supplier of wide- and superwide-format print hardware, Soyang Hardware, has opened its newly upgraded showroom in Cambridgeshire. Formerly the Josero site, the new facility is just 20 minutes from Cambridge and features a range of hardware from manufacturers such as Fujifilm, Ricoh, and Mimaki. Featuring at the premises are Fujifilm’s Acuity Prime Hybrid LED UV machine capable of both rigid and roll-to-roll printing; the Ricoh Pro Latex L5160e featuring three staggered Ricoh printheads; and several of Mimaki’s wide-format printers. Also included in the lineup is the KeenCut SteelTrak. As well as experiencing live machinery demonstrations, visitors to the Soyang Hardware showroom can speak with experts about how the technology can help their businesses to succeed. The Cambridgeshire facility is in addition to Soyang’s existing Accrington showroom which opened in March 2023. This site houses a range of printing equipment, sewing machinery, flatbed printers, routers, and cutters. “We’re delighted to be opening another specialist showroom, allowing visitors from the south of the UK and further afield to find out more about our leading range of hardware solutions,” says Sarah Fenna, sales director (Hardware Division) of Soyang Hardware. Soyang Hardware has opened its new showroom in Cambridgeshire Citing economic challenges in Europe, Fujifilm increased prices for a range of its hardware, consumables, and services from March 18th. The company, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, says the news comes as the European market continues to be impacted by “geopolitical influences and inflationary challenges”. Some of the challenges listed by the company include an unprecedented increase in labour costs; sharply rising freight and warehousing rates; continuously high energy prices; and increased prices from Fujifilm’s own suppliers. “Despite our best efforts to absorb the impact of these increases, we can no longer avoid raising the prices of many of our products and services,” says Taku Ueno, senior vice president of Fujifilm Graphic Communications, Europe. The prices have increased by double digit percentages with the exact amount dependent on the product range. Customers directly affected will be contacted by Fujiflm. “At Fujifilm we remain committed to providing high quality products and services,” Ueno adds. Fujifilm has increased the prices of a range of its hardware, consumables, and services from March 18th Fujifilm increases prices By Carys Evans By Carys Evans
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