S. M. Ram Prasad, Senior Manager – Consumer Products, Epson India
Brilliant, fade-resistant, color accurate prints have been the hallmark of Epson. This year the strategy is not signifi cantly different, except striving to achieve more. In a conversation with Aswathi Nair, S. M. Ram Prasad, Senior Manager – Consumer Products of Epson India, reveals the company’s ideas.
What is Epson’s thrust at Photofair 2011, and what are some of the innovations that the company will be unveiling. An entire range of photo products will be on display for our customers. From entry-level photo printers targeting amateurs, enthusiasts and photo labs to high-end professional graphics printers meant for larger photo labs, professional printers and fine art reproduction. We will also showcase our range of photo scanners along with the rest.
We expect Epson’s leadership in Digital Imaging solutions addressed to the Indian photography industry, to be further consolidated this year through our product showcase at Photofair 2011. Epson is one of the few technology driven companies that can cater to the growing needs of the huge Indian Photography market, with well defined solutions catering to all the 4 key segments of the same.
Namely:
a. For Small Photo Studios – The Stylus Pro 4990.
b. For Commercial Photo Labs – The Stylus Pro GS 6000.
c. For Professional Photographers & Designers – The Stylus Pro 9900.
d. For Amateur Photographers. – The Stylus TX720 WD.
As you can see we have interesting, path-breaking products along with solutions addressing each of the key segments.
With the transition of the Indian market into digital, what are some of the new printing trends that will drive growth in the new year.
At Epson this year, we expect some interesting segments which are emerging as an offshoot to traditional Photo printing. The segments while still small, will grow exponentially and turn into extremely lucrative business opportunities such as high quality back-lit printing, gallery quality canvas reproduction, wall graphics, floor graphics.
Epson will be throwing open the above segments to the commercial photo Labs with ProGS6000 and this will decisively make a shift towards high profitability to all its users.
India being one of the high growth markets for Epson, what are the new initiatives you have put into your product lines in order to stay ahead of the others. With the consumable market being dominated by unorganized players, how do you plan to educate the customer about buying original products?
I will start with our proprietary printing technology – the Micro Piezo print head that helps us stay ahead of competition consistently when it comes to print quality. Having said that, as we go forward this year we have some fantastic product introductions lined up. Epson has phenomenally improved its sales of original consumables in the last 2-3 years. Our efforts to ensure proper availability of consumables across the markets plays a key role.
What is the strength of Epson’s printers in terms of competition and what is your blueprint for the year in terms of sales growth. The key advantage of any Epson product is the technology behind the same. Whether it’s the proprietary Micro Peizo Technology or the revolutionary Ink Technologies like HDR Inks, Ultrachrome K3 Inks, GS – Green solvent Inks, etc. At the risk of sounding vain, as far as photo printers are concerned we are acknowledged as the best in the business. The best photographers and galleries in the world use Epson when it comes to photo printing. Anyone who has seen how it functions can confirm this. The key advantage in Epson printers are its revolutionary inks.
These highly stable inks ensure consistent reproduction, time after time. Designed around the artistic & commercial needs of photographers, they take photo print quality beyond even the trusted silver halide process.
Secondly, nothing hurts more than a damaged print. Precisely why Epson inks concentrate on delivering faderesistant prints that stay perfect from 100-300 years (depending on the ink), a claim no one else can make. By incorporating the most advanced technologies, we ensure we provide impeccable photographic prints that a customer aspires for, at the same time we have customized products for each category of users, to fit it within their budget. This is what will continue to drive our sales in 2011.
Aswathi Nair
