BEHIND THE MENAGERIE Dating back to 1867, Agfa’s roots stem to a colour dye factory in the Rummelsburger neighbourhood of Berlin, Germany. In 1873 the production facility was registered as the ‘Aktien-Gesellschaft für Anilin-Fabrikation’, AGFA. In 1890 Lieven Gavaert established a workshop for manufacturing calcium paper for photography in Antwerp in Belgium. The company eventually became L. Gevaert & Cie and soon began to acquire paper companies like Blue Star Papers in Paris. In 1904 the business expanded into a new factory in Mortsel, a facility still used today after being substantially expanded and modernised. At the time employees of the company were allowed to participate in company profits, marking Lieven Gevaert as a pioneer of employee participation. Jump forward to 1964 and following numerous successes with 35mm cameras Agfa, a 100% subsidiary of Bayer merged with Gevaert Photo Production (named so in 1920 ahead of the company’s success with scientific and technical films). From there two new operating companies were established and the two partners each held a 50% stake in Gevaert-Agfa in Mortsel (Belgium) and Agfa-Gevaert in Leverkusen (Germany). Fast forward to 2024 and Agfa-Gevaert Group develops, produces, and distributes imaging systems and IT solutions around the world with three divisions: Digital Print & Chemicals, Radiology Solutions, and HealthCare IT. A Specialist in Print When it comes to the Agfa-Gevaert Group, the company says it strives to be the partner of choice for imaging and information systems in all the markets it operates. The organisation is headquartered in Morstel, Belgium, which is also a major production plant as well as plants and facilities located in Heultje (Belgium), China, Germany, the US, Canada, Italy, and the UK. When it comes to the company’s digital printing division, Agfa says: “Agfa’s Digital Printing Solutions division aims to drive the adoption of inkjet printing across various industries. It empowers graphic printing and goods-producing industries to become more versatile and efficient through the innovative use of inkjet printing technology. It does so by analysing their experiences, needs, and challenges, and actively partnering with them and industry experts.” Agfa supplies print, sign, and display companies with a range of wide-format inkjet printers and dedicated inks along with workflow software, cutting machines, and inkjet media. Speaking about the company’s range of sign and display printers, Paul Fitch, head of Inkjet, at Agfa UK & Ireland, says: “We have the Anapurna Ciervo, Jeti Bronco, Jeti Condor, Jeti Tauro, Onset Grizzly and Oberon wide-format UV printers. Agfa has also ventured into soft signage applications with the Avinci printer, utilising dye-sublimation water-based inks. Recently, Agfa introduced the Avinci 110 inkset, offering great colour vibrancy.” All of Agfa’s printing systems are driven by its in-house developed Asanti workflow and colour management software. Fitch adds: “All printers run on Agfa inks, which are renowned for their low consumption, wide colour gamut, and consistent print quality. A company with an inkjet portfolio suitable for various applications across the print and signage industries, we learn more about Agfa and its 150-year history 49 www.printmonthly.co.uk September / October 2024 - Issue 350 Agfa strives to be the partner of choice for imaging and information systems in all the markets it operates COMPANY SPOTLIGHT / AGFA
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