EFI and Fiery have split into separate businesses though both continue to be owned by Siris Capital Group. At the same time EFI has announced a new CEO in the form of Frank Pennisi, a veteran of the industrial and technology sectors.
Toby Weiss, long-time chief operating officer and general manager of Fiery, will now lead that business as CEO, and EFI executive chairman Jeff Jacobson will serve as executive chairman of Fiery too.
EFI will be solely focused on driving the analogue-to-digital transition across the packaging and corrugated, display graphics, textile, and building materials/décor end-markets for industrial inkjet, while Fiery will continue to provide DFE technology for digital production and industrial printing.
“This realignment positions both EFI, now solely focused on digital inkjet for industrial applications, and Fiery, the leading global DFE provider, to win in their independent markets while maintaining the close partnership that has contributed to the success of each business. Operating as a standalone company will only further strengthen Fiery’s market-leading position in providing innovative DFE solutions. Similarly, no company in the industry can match the depth and breadth of EFI’s industrial inkjet portfolio and I am looking forward to this next chapter of growth under Frank’s leadership,” said Jacobson.
EFI’s new CEO was previously president and CEO of Orora Packaging Solutions, an EFI customer using its Nozomi single-pass inkjet digital printer. His experience with EFI solutions extends to the collaboration and consulting he has done with Orora Packaging’s sister company Orora Visual – a display graphics provider that is among the largest North American and a user of EFI Vutek and Reggiani printers.
“As a former customer, I know that EFI’s digital industrial inkjet portfolio is unmatched in the industry,” said Pennisi. “I am thrilled to be joining EFI at this pivotal moment as the industry transitions toward digital inkjet.”
At Fiery, Weiss said: “Fiery will remain focused on working closely with our OEM partners, including the EFI Inkjet business, to continue developing cutting edge technology that drives the next generation of automation, accuracy, and profit potential in digital printing. We look forward to accelerating our investment as a standalone company, while driving our expanding product portfolio, incorporating world-class color algorithms, and developing advanced cloud technology.”
