Clones and technological barriers the biggest challenges, says ARMOR

June 14, 2012

The remanufacturer also noted that the company aims to “learn all the latest news” at Focus on Europe later this month.

ARMOR Office Printing’s Régis Thébaud and Sophie Lansac spoke with The Recycler about the Focus on Europe conference and the challenges facing the aftermarket this year.

Lansac, ARMOR’s Marketing and Communication Director, stated of the conference that: “We hope to learn all the latest news on the market (trends, outlooks, industry partner activities and vision on the future of our industry).

“We’re also very interested in all the presentation on market outlook. And very importantly we hope that this conference will allow for all players to have a common vision and definition on clones and MPS.”

In terms of topics to discuss at the conference, Thébaud, ARMOR’s Operations Director, noted that ARMOR will be interested to discuss “trends in inkjet, especially the future for inkjet reman opportunities and threats. We also have a great interest in discussing the future of MPS for the remanufactured laser solution and how we can develop this market favourably for our remanufacturing industry.”

In terms of challenges facing the aftermarket, Lansac stated: “Clones proliferation: creating a great confusion for what “genuine” aftermarket players are and their product offerings; a great pressure on price which unfortunately will very probably not be reversible hence putting great pressure on all our re-manufacturing industry on margins for the years to come. Educating the distribution will be key if we want to save our profession and our pricing.”

Another challenge Lansac identified was: “OEM technological barriers: those are getting fiercer and fiercer not only in the inkjet arena but also now starting quite strongly in laser. This will be a key challenge to overcome and will require from our profession more and more R&D and electronic technical expertise. This will require more and more resources, human and financial, and hence will certainly modify the actual industry’s organisation in the years to come.“

On the approaching 10th anniversary of ETIRA’s founding, Thébaud stated: “ETIRA did a great job in terms of lobbying close to the OEM and European administration for our profession. These actions were much needed and are most helpful for all members.

“The conferences are always a great place to learn more and share with the profession, a key moment to meet all the actors from our industry, and congratulations for the always very well-run and successful organization. Next key actions for ETIRA will be the success of coordinating all our actions at the European level.”

More information from ARMOR will be featured in issue 234 of The Recycler, which will mail early in July.

Categories : Rank 2

Tags : ARMOR Focus on Europe