Gerber: Product On Track | South Windsor company refutes suggestion that new technology for its inkjet printer is problematic
South Windsor-based Gerber Scientific sought to squash speculation in trade publications that the company is experiencing additional difficulties with a key technology underlying its planned production of its new Solara ion inkjet printer.
Some reports in unidentified publications have suggested that the “core technology behind the use of cationic ink by Gerber Scientific was the reason the company announced delay in volume shipments until the first quarter of fiscal year 2009,” Gerber Scientific Products head of advanced technology John LaFleche said. “The delay is not related to the underlying cationic ink technology,” LaFleche said. The cationic ink involves exposure to ultra-violate light to complete the printing process. LaFleche said that Gerber has overcome the challenges of working with cationic ink, “primarily maintaining ink stability and protecting the UV inkjet print heads from UV exposure, which can result in premature print head failure.” He said that “careful evaluation and testing” have shown that Gerber has addressed those challenges.
“We remain confident in the robustness of the Solara ion printer technology,” LaFleche added.
Gerber officials have said that the delay in the introduction of the new printer was caused by the testing of electronic components, which took longer than expected, “resulting in a short delay in the testing and shipping schedule for the product.”
Short Delay
LaFleche said, “Volume shipments are expected in the first quarter of the new fiscal year, which begins May 1, 2008, with the potential for earlier shipments, following the completion of final product testing.”
In January, Gerber lowered its earnings forecast because of delays in shipments of the new product. Gerber lowered its net earnings expectations for the 2008 fiscal year to a range of 61 to 71 cents per share, down from its previous forecast of 68 to 80 cents per share.
Gerber had expected to start shipments of its new Solara ion inkjet printer in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, Gerber officials said. But shipments were delayed until the first quarter of fiscal 2009, beginning May 1.
The company’s Gerber Scientific Products subsidiary introduced the Solara ion in October 2007.
Gerber makes a variety of computerized machinery and other products used in sign making and specialty graphics, apparel and fabric processing and eyeglass lens making.
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