- Lexjet has been selected as an authorized reseller of HP’s Designjet L25500 ‘latex’ inkjet printers (example pictured), including 1- and 1.5-m (42- and 60-in.) wide models. HP has also certified Aslan’s self-adhesive films for use with latex inks and SA International’s PhotoPrint, Flexi and FlexiPrint raster image processors (RIPs) for the Designjet L26500, as well as registering substrate manufacturer Ultraflex to develop media for latex printers.
- Panasonic partnered with IndoorDirect to develop digital signage systems for quick-service restaurants (QSRs).
- GE Lighting signed an agreement to acquire Lightech, which manufactures electronic drivers for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and transformers for halogen lighting.
- Interactive signage developer iSign Media Solutions, based in Richmond Hill, Ont., has entered an agreement with Montreal-based digital signage software provider BroadSign International to manage networked displays in Couche-Tard convenience stores. The software deployment is scheduled for completion in early 2012.
- Heidelberg Canada has signed an agreement to distribute EFI’s Rastek line of wide-format printers, along with related inks, consumables, parts, accessories and upgrades. Heidelberg already distributes EFI’s Vutek super-wide-format digital inkjet printers.
- Information technology (IT) distributor Tech Data has partnered with NEC Display Solutions to offer digital signage content creation services to resellers.
- Toronto-based environmental graphic design (EGD) firms Entro Communications and Gottschalk + Ash International (G+A) have merged. Entro acquired G+A from DW+Partners, a design agency owned by St. Joseph Communications, to extend its interdisciplinary scope into print, identity and place branding. While Entro retains its legal name, the combined organization will be known as Entro G+A and will expand into Calgary.
- ComQi, which provides media distribution, network management, content management and proof-of-performance technology for digital signage networks, has partnered with Path Intelligence, which captures data about how consumers behave in stores, malls, stadiums, transportation hubs and other enclosed environments. Together, they will measure specific analytics related to digital signage and provide them to retailers.
- Chemical Concepts is now packaging Lord adhesives with its own Chem-Set Hot Melt adhesives for channel letter fabrication.
- Montreal-based X2O Media has integrated its Xpresenter digital signage software with Microsoft’s SharePoint enterprise collaboration platform, allowing users to display existing SharePoint content on digital screens and mobile devices, as well as post video content directly into SharePoint.
- Semiconductor supplier Mouser Electronics signed a global distribution agreement with light-emitting diode (LED) manufacturer Cree.
- Digital signage media player manufacturer Mdina Media has become a certified partner of software developer Scala.
- Adhesive-coated film manufacturer Catalina Graphic Films has purchased and integrated its sister company, film distributor Graphic Materials International (GMI).
- Conferencing system provider ClearOne has acquired MagicBox, which develops hardware and software for digital signage management, including content creation, scheduling and database integration.
- Lumen Dynamics, Integration Technology and Phoseon Technology have joined as founding members of the UV LED Curing Association, which will work to show system developers around the world how to integrate ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) curing technology into printing and other applications. The association is expected to welcome new members in early 2012.
- Through a new partnership, CAP Software’s SellWise Pro digital signage controller is being integrated into Logic Control’s pole-mounted 178-mm (7-in.) liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for point-of-purchase (POP) screen networks.
- Schlenk Metallic Pigments, which manufactures metal powders, pigments and pastes—became a technology partner of Color-Logic, which develops colour communications software for special effects in printing. Together, the companies have developed new ultraviolet-curable (UV-curable) silver inks.
- Coin Mechanisms is using chips from Zilog, a microcontroller producer, to support its cylindrical Persistence of Vision (POV) light-emitting diode (LED) displays, which spin to create three-dimensional (3-D) effects.
- Montreal-based Newad, which operates static and digital mini-billboards, has acquired the indoor advertising assets of Media One and appointed its president, Lino Ricco, vice-president (VP) and regional general manager for Central Canada. The acquisition extends Newad’s network into more than 550 new locations.
