Editor’s note: In October, Agfa’s Graphic Systems business unit named Peter Wilkens as director of its North American newspaper group. Wilkens, who came to Agfa after serving as vice president of worldwide marketing at computer-to-plate vendor ECRM, spoke with Newspapers & Technology about his appointment and Agfa’s future plans.


Peter Wilkens

N&T: You have a long background with ECRM Imaging Systems, a company that markets to smaller and midsized newspapers. What from that experience do you feel will most benefit you as Agfa’s North American newspaper group director?

Wilkens: During my tenure with ECRM I was fortunate to be involved with a wide variety of markets and customers, both large and small. In addition, I was exposed to all the various imaging technologies currently employed in the industry. As a result I bring to Agfa a solid understanding of the best technology fit for the newspaper market here in North America.  

One of the main attractions for joining Agfa was the comprehensive workflow, consumable and violet imaging products portfolio that I believe represents the best technology fit for the newspaper market.

N&T: What are your immediate plans for Agfa’s newspaper segment in North America?

Wilkens: As I settle in here at Agfa my first priority is to spend time with our most important group of people, our customers. Over the months ahead I will be meeting with as many of our customers as possible and listening to their needs and concerns. Agfa has been fortunate in that we enjoy a leadership position in the worldwide newspaper market, a position we have to earn over and over again everyday.

N&T: With recent acquisitions/mergers such as Kodak’s acquisition of Creo, it is apparent that the number of CTP vendors that will remain long-term will likely continue to dwindle. How strong is Agfa’s foothold and how are you positioned to compete with other vendors in the marketplace - specifically those offering thermal solutions to newspapers?

Wilkens: Agfa’s leadership position in newspapers in firmly established and we are dedicated to the newspaper market for the long term. The newspaper segment is strategically critical for Agfa and as such we have a complete product offering designed specifically around newspaper market requirements. This is a fundamental difference between Agfa and many of the other suppliers that are repurposing commercial solutions for the newspaper market.

With regard to thermal solutions, Agfa has a number of thermal product offerings and we believe in that technology for applications where it fits. When newspaper market imaging requirements are considered, high-quality imaging, high speed, simplicity and reliability, violet is clearly the best fit.

N&T: How focused is Agfa on software and how does workflow fit into this?

Wilkens: Agfa is very focused on the software or workflow side of the business. The Arkitex software products represent a key piece of the total solution we offer our customers. Agfa has a significant investment in developing newspaper-specific software products that address the complexity of very large production environments and the small sites that just requires basic functionality.

It is our objective to be able to offer every customer a solution, software, imaging and consumables that meets their production requirements and represents great value.