Baldwin is to sell and support QI Press Controls’ colour register and press control equipment in Japan in a deal unique to the Dutch technology company. QI chairman Menno Jansen says that while the agreement covers all sectors, Baldwin will initially focus on the newspaper market. “This deal with Baldwin is unique for QI because in other countries around the world our sales have always been direct, even when there is a local agent,” he says. “However, Baldwin’s reputation in the industry and its already high standing among Japanese press manufacturers and printers gives us the confidence to hand over all elements of our business in Japan – including sales, installation, maintenance – to Baldwin. This approach, where printers are able to deal with one supplier, also suits the Japanese market.” Jansen says the new agreement opens “a host of exciting possibilities” for both companies. Japan is a country that prides itself on extremely high standards of print quality, which makes any equipment that enables greater press automation – such as QI’s closed loop colour control system – an attractive investment. “With the support of Baldwin’s extensive network of local sales, engineers and technical staff, we are confident that QI Press Controls products will become a more common feature in many Japanese print factories,” he says. Ichi Imafuku, president of Baldwin Japan, sees QI Press Controls as “a perfect addition” to the companys’s growing list of partners. “This agreement represents a significant strategic partnership that should result in major benefits to customers as the drive for greater control of production costs becomes ever more important,” he says. Baldwin chief executive Karl Puehringer says Baldwin’s growing list of alliances is enabling the company to steadily expand its global reach. “This is transforming us into a more consequential supplier as it strengthens the Baldwin brand and opens valuable new opportunities for growth,” he says. “We are constantly examining technologies that can be integrated into our existing sales and marketing channels, which for our customers ultimately mean lower equipment costs and even greater productivity levels and savings.”