7 minute read
Gromex Media installs leading-edge 5-metre EFI VUTEk 5r+ in Malaysia
The Malaysian company elevates digital printing capabilities with the new superwide-format roll-to-roll printer.
Digital printing specialists Gromex Media Sdn. Bhd. has installed their first EFI™ VUTEk 5r+ roll-to-roll LED printer in Malaysia. The new 5-metre superwide-format printer replaced the company’s previous EFI acquisition, the VUTEk GS5000r printer.
Founded in 1999 in Alor Setar, Kedah, Gromex Media had its start with a 1.2-metre digital printer. In 2013, the company expanded to Kuala Lumpur to cater to the needs of digital printing in the Klang Valley. It was there that it invested in the EFI VUTEk GS5000r roll-to-roll printer before upgrading to the VUTEk 5r+ UV LED printer. “Our focus this time was to grow our wide format digital UV printing solutions. After evaluation and reviewing the machine performance, parts and after sales services, we decided to purchase the EFI VUTEk 5r+,” said GH Lim, Head of Sales & Marketing, Gromex Media.
During the pandemic, when other print service providers tended to be more conservative with their investments, Gromex Media decided to invest in new print technology. “Purchasing the printer during the pandemic was a challenge, but it was also the best time. It was crucial to make the conversion during this period before the next business wave comes in after the pandemic,” said Lim.
“To be at the forefront of the print industry, we are constantly upgrading our printers to leverage new and better technology. Printing technology is always evolving, and this leads to better operating efficiency with faster production speeds and lower ink consumption. This efficiency translates to better margins in the long run, and we believe the decision on purchasing the VUTEk 5r+ was a good call,” Lim continued.
Standing out with high-speed 5-metre capabilities and unique options
The VUTEk 5r+ roll-to-roll LED inkjet printer offers resolutions up to 1,200 dpi and is equipped with EFI’s sevenpicolitre UltraDrop™ Technology to deliver high-definition image quality and exceptional smoothness in shadows, gradients, and transitions. The printer is able to deliver superb text quality in both standard and higher quality modes.
The newly installed device will enable Gromex Media to print high-quality 5-metre-wide images quickly with speeds up to 487 square metres per hour, while giving users a range of options for faster throughput and automated productivity. “This is one of the fastest printers in its class, which puts us at the forefront of the industry in Malaysia and other regions,” said Lim.
“The EFI VUTEk 5r+ impressed us first with its speed, especially compared to the previous machine. Secondly, it was the high image print quality as well as the colour vibrancy of the graphics produced. We chose the seven-colour with white configuration, which provided a wider range of applications
for us. We are excited about this new printer as the VUTEk 5r+ is delivering an overall quality improvement with faster production time and a lower total cost of ownership,” Lim continued, due to lower media wastage, ink and power consumption.
EFI also provides a range of versatile, value-added roll-to-roll options. Gromex Media opted for productivityenhancing options, including automatic double-sided backlit and block-out printing. The printer comes with a pair of cameras and a special sensor that together with the unique software algorithm which enables printing on both sides of opaque block out and semi-transparent backlit media, resulting in excellent registration between sides. “We use the new 5r+ mostly for 5-metre backlit printing, as well as for multi-roll printing on selfadhesive vinyl. The VUTEk 5r+ can support three 1.6-metre rolls printing at the same time, so this is very efficient for us,” Lim added.
“We also liked the X-cutters and Y-slitters for inline finishing, which helps us save a lot of time. The mediahandling accessories facilitate easier media loading to help complete more jobs per shift,” Lim continued.
3M MCS Warranty
“One of the key decision-making factors for investing in the EFI VUTEk 5r+ printer was that it will enable us to provide the 3M™ MCS™ Warranty to our customers. We are now one of the very few companies in the region that can provide the 3M MCS Warranty,” said Lim.
The 3M MCS Warranty is widely recognized as the industry’s most comprehensive finished graphics warranty, providing protection for the intended life of each graphic, including fading, cracking, peeling, blistering, discolouration and many other aspects of graphic performance. The weathering technology and rigorous testing of ink and printer combinations that 3M stands behind with this warranty assures end users that their images will perform as expected for the life of the graphic.
“The purchase of the VUTEk 5r+ has helped to further strengthen the company’s position as one of the top digital printing companies in
the industry, specialising in UV-wide format printing. With the 3M MCS Warranty, we are able to provide the most comprehensive graphic warranty in the industry,” Lim continued.
Trusted Reliability with EFI & AVS Solutions
Gromex Media purchased the EFI VUTEk 5r+ roll-to-roll printer from AVS Solutions, EFI’s distributor partner in Malaysia and Singapore since 2008. “Another compelling reason why we choose to purchase the EFI VUTEk 5r+ was knowing that we have access to a strong support and service infrastructure from both AVS Solutions and EFI. We have built a level of trust and confidence and the support from the team at AVS and EFI had been incredible thus far. Both AVS Solutions and EFI are very dependable partners of choice,” said Lim.
“With the new investment in the VUTEk 5r+, we spoke about how we can actually make Gromex Media more competitive in this era and position them for their next steps in business growth. That was one of the key reasons why they decided to move ahead with the new investment during this time,” said Kelvin Mun, Managing Director, AVS Solutions. important for Gromex to invest in the latest LED print technology now. With better technology, the printing quality improves, and ink consumption is also reduced. The investment will help them with ink savings and to future proof their business in the long run,” Mun continued.
“EFI continues to prioritise building upon long term partnerships and work closely with our partners to support our end users. At the end of the day, the customer’s success is our success,” said Bernard Sun, Senior Business Development Manager, ASEAN and Taiwan, EFI. “We are happy to partner with Gromex Media and we are confident that the EFI VUTEk 5r+ printer will deliver the high productivity, incredible quality and efficiency to propel them as the leader in wide-format digital print in Malaysia and the region.” “We’ve built a close relationship with Gromex Media through AVS Solutions over the years, and they have continued to trust and invest in EFI solutions. With the investment, Gromex Media is breaking new ground in pioneering the expansion of 5-metre superwideformat printing in Malaysia. We are proud to be a part of that. This is a testament to our innovative vision for the industry and the collaborative nature of the work that we do here at EFI,” said Rodd Harrison, VicePresident, for Asia Pacific Sales, EFI.
What’s Next for Gromex Media?
Gromex Media has a staff of 30, consisting of administration, design, quality control, production and installation teams. “As an ISO 9100 Company, we provide total solutions to our clients. With our range of machinery, including cutters, lamination and seaming solutions, we provide a full spectrum of solutions to our clients from multi-layer printing solutions and install methods to warranty programs and more. Our clients are wide ranging from various industries, such as oil and gas, railway, aviation, fleet graphics, fashion, and giant signage with long term applications,” said Lim.
“We aim to cater to the needs of both the medium and high-end market and provide our customers with premium quality UV printing that is also cost-effective. In the long run, we are considering purchasing the EFI VUTEk h3 hybrid printer and the EFI Pro 32r+ roll-to-roll printer to add to our fleet. We look forward to continuing this long-term working partnership with both AVS Solutions and EFI,” Lim concluded.
Left - Kelvin Mun with Mr Lim on the Right with the new machine.
