Another important contract signed with CeWe Color Gretag and CeWe Color have signed an agreement for the sale of over 100 Performa e.motion 408 digital minilabs for installation in the German market. Following the contract concluded in January 2002 for the sale of Cyra systems for the central lab sector, this move extends the partnership between Gretag and CeWe Color into the retail sector. CeWe Color and Gretag launch offensive on the German retail market In the past many photographic retailers, especially in Germany, found that it was not profitable to operate a minilab. Investment in a minilab was only worthwhile for businesses with a relatively high volume of photographic work, or for those in prime locations or with a number of branches. In Germany the share of the entire photofinishing market accounted for by minilabs has remained constant for years at around 10%. This is very low in comparison with Europe generally (30%). In the U.S., the proportion is about 35% while in Japan it is over 70%. The changeover to digital technology has revolutionized the market. For most people who buy a digital camera their main priority is the ease of taking photographs and the ability to take a “quick snapshot“. While modern digital cameras leave hardly anything to be desired technically and in terms of ease of operation, immediate availability of images in the form of prints has not always been guaranteed. Against this background CeWe Color decided to strengthen its minilab sector, which has been in existence since 1986. CeWe Color currently operates 250 minilabs from all the big-name manufacturers at its retail partners as part of its full-service concept.
Decision to install the Gretag Performa e.motion 408 minilab CeWe Color is to install over 100 Gretag Performa e.motion 408 minilabs at photographic retailers in Germany. An agreement to this effect was concluded at the PMA (Photo Marketing Association) trade fair in Orlando on February 24, 2002. The new Gretag Performa e.motion 408 minilab is a newly developed, fully digital, all-in-one machine with integrated film processor, film scanner and input facility for all digital data carriers. This highly compact machine with a footprint of just 1m2 has a capacity of 400 prints/h in 10 x 15 format. The picture quality is exceptionally good thanks to the totally reengineered digital printer and the use of integrated image enhancement technology. The machine is also incredibly easy to operate.
Speaking on the occasion of the signing of the contract Patrick Jung, CEO of Gretag, emphasized that the development and market launch of the Performa e.motion 408 minilab represents a significant step in the direction of digital processing in the retail sector. He is absolutely confident that the system will become established as the standard in Europe. Hubert Rothärmel, Chairman of the Board of CeWe Color Holding AG, pointed out in addition that the minilab can also be used in conjunction with the DigiFilm- Maker. This enables the end consumer to produce a CD holding all data from the memory card and with a photo index which in turn opens up new opportunities for revenues and profit for photographic retailers from digital photo orders.
Gretag, The Imaging Company The Gretag Imaging Group, which is headquartered in Regensdorf, Switzerland, is one of the world's premier suppliers of photofinishing and imaging equipment and systems. The Group's products and services range from minilabs and central labs to Internet applications. Gretag is listed on the Swiss Exchange (GIGN) and has about 1300 employees worldwide.
CeWe Color In 1961 Senator Heinz Neumüller founded the corporate group CeWe Color from what was originally the Oldenburg-based photo studio and retailer Carl Wöltje. Within 40 years CeWe Color progressed to become the largest independent photo laboratory group in Europe. CeWe Color develops films and pictures for more than 35,000 trade partners in 14 European countries. Almost every fourth picture in Europe is developed in one of the 25 high-tech production locations – and the trend is a rising one. Since 1993 CeWe Color has been listed on the stock exchange, and the company has been a member of the SMAX since April 1999.
Regensdorf, February 26, 2002
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