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HP Announces Multimillion Dollar Sale of HP Indigo Digital Press Technologies to Consolidated Graphics

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, June 2, 2008

HP today announced that it has signed a multimillion dollar agreement with Consolidated Graphics Inc. (NYSE: CGX), one of the largest North American general commercial printing companies, for the installation of as many as 36 HP Indigo digital presses – including multiple HP Indigo 7000 Digital Presses – at facilities in the United States and the Czech Republic this year.

With annual revenues of $1.2 billion, Consolidated Graphics has 70 printing businesses in the United States and Canada, as well as a facility in the Czech Republic. The purchase of the HP Indigo presses with HP SmartStream Ultra Print Servers extends its presence among major general commercial printing providers as a leader in the use of digital printing technology.

In terms of value, the HP Indigo technology purchase represents a significant portion of the capital expenditures Consolidated Graphics has planned for its digital printing operations this year. Last year, the company spent approximately $25 million on digital presses and related technology. Press installations are scheduled to begin in June, starting with the company’s Prague, Czech Republic, and Medford, Ore., facilities.

Meeting increasing demand with HP technology

“We believe that Consolidated Graphics has the largest footprint of high-speed digital presses in the commercial print industry, both in terms of units and strategic locations,” said Joe R. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Consolidated Graphics. “We expect to continue to invest in digital technology to satisfy our customers’ increasing demand. We are proud of our growing relationship with HP and the ability to leverage their technology leadership as a complement to our strategic focus in this high-growth portion of our business.”

The majority of the installation will be for a significant photobook printing operation that will include a number of HP Indigo 7000 Digital Presses. In addition, six HP Indigo 7000 Presses will be used in direct marketing applications, including a press installed as a beta unit at Consolidated Graphics' Nies/Artcraft facility in St. Louis, Mo.

Photo specialty printing, which includes photobooks and similar digitally printed products, is the fastest-growing segment of the HP Indigo business. According to IDC, the photo merchandise market will grow 91 per cent from 2007-09, with worldwide revenues expected to reach $2.6 billion by 2009.(1)

“This deal exemplifies the confidence that Consolidated Graphics has in HP’s technology as well as our commitment to customer success,” said Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo division, HP. “The unmatched quality of our technology allows companies like Consolidated Graphics to pursue even greater profitable growth by meeting the exploding demand for photo-quality digital production printing and variable data print campaigns.”

Leveraging the benefits of digital across print applications

Since acquiring its first HP Indigo press in 1998, Consolidated Graphics has used the technology in applications demanding high uptime and offset- or photo-quality results. Consolidated Graphics already has 19 HP Indigo presses that perform a variety of progressive printing applications, from personalized marketing collateral, to print-on-demand supply chain management for a leading office supply firm, to a multimedia campaign in the telecommunications industry.

The success of these and other programs have made Consolidated Graphics the largest producer of printed material on the HP Indigo platform in the world during the past quarter.

“Our digital investments underscore Consolidated Graphics’ commitment to offering our customers leading-edge digital technology plus the speed and cost-efficiencies of the largest integrated digital footprint of any commercial printer in the U.S.,” said Aaron Grohs, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Consolidated Graphics. “Our North American digital network is fully integrated so that we can send print files electronically to the facility closest to the point of delivery. This provides speed to market, cost-savings and an environmentally friendly alternative to shipping materials long distances.”

HP Indigo presses print on a broad range of certified media, which expands the types of applications print service providers can offer their customers. Consolidated Graphics, for example, uses the presses to print on Tyvek to produce the race numbers for the New York City Marathon and many of the other major marathon and triathlon events in the United States and worldwide.

More information about HP Indigo presses is available at www.hp.com/go/graphicarts.

About Consolidated Graphics

Consolidated Graphics is one of North America’s leading general commercial printing companies with printing facilities strategically located across 27 states and in Canada. CGX offers an unmatched geographic footprint with facilities in or near virtually every U.S. market as well as Toronto, Canada. The company’s extensive capabilities are supported by an unparalleled level of convenience, efficiency and service that customers can access through a single point of contact at the local level. More information is available at www.consolidatedgraphics.com.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.


(1) IDC Market Analysis, Worldwide Online Custom Photo Merchandise 2008-2012 Forecast: The Photo Merchandise Bible, February 2008.


This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

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