SDPS Ushers in a New Era with the Acquisition of the Agfa Onset Grizzly X2 HS Flatbed Inkjet Printer

PRESS ROOM

20 Jun

Written By Debbie Mckeegan

Paris, France – June 2024 — SDPS, a leading French screen printing company with over 50 years of experience, has recently bolstered its technological arsenal by acquiring a new Onset Grizzly X2 HS flatbed inkjet printer from Agfa, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to innovation and quality.

Founded by Philippe Poinçon, SDPS began its operations in the world of screen printing, primarily producing posters.

The company navigated through various market transformations, transitioning to multi-material large-format POS (Point of Sale) displays in the late '90s.

This strategic pivot allowed SDPS to leverage its existing machinery while making targeted investments to meet evolving customer needs.

"In the late '90s, we shifted towards multi-material large-format POS displays," explains Richard Charrier, co-director of SDPS. "This strategic move was essential to maintain our position as a major player in POS displays."

Innovation and Technological Advancement

In 2020, SDPS continued to innovate by renewing its digital park, thereby enhancing productivity and maintaining high-quality standards, particularly for the luxury sector. The recent acquisition of the Onset Grizzly X2 HS flatbed inkjet printer is a testament to the company’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve.

"The new Onset Grizzly we welcomed is the sixth since 2012. We renew the machines every 3 to 4 years, and they run in 3x8 shifts. We are really pleased with the technological continuity," said Régis Broussin, co-director of SDPS.

Closer Ties with the Santerre Group

The year 2022 marked a pivotal alliance with the Santerre Group, a renowned offset printing specialist. This merger has combined the complementary expertise of both companies to offer customers an even broader range of printing solutions.

"We had two solutions for diversification: external growth or joining a group to ensure the company’s future," Charrier explains. "The choice of the Santerre Group was due to the complementarity of our offerings. Offset on one side, and screen printing and digital on the other. Today, 100% of our activity is based on POS. This consolidation has allowed combining the complementary expertise of both companies to offer customers an even broader range of printing solutions."

Investing in the Future

Despite challenges in the POS market, including a decline in investments and a series of store closures in the ready-to-wear sector, SDPS remains committed to investing in the future. The addition of the Onset Grizzly X2 HS with an ABB unloading robot is a strategic move to maintain high standards and meet customer expectations.

"This is the second machine with an unloading robot. It’s a considerable time saver for the operator who benefits from higher pallet heights. There is much more automation on the HS version, so the operator saves time on job preparation," Broussin said.

Quality and Speed

SDPS sets itself apart by using six colors—four standard colors plus light cyan and light magenta. This choice ensures sharper halftones and greater printing definition, especially important for the cosmetics industry.

"We have always had six colors on the machines, which sets us apart from the competition. The light colors allow for sharper halftones and greater printing definition," Charrier notes.