LFP - Large-Format-Printing

Agfa Tauro inkjet printer: a game-changer for Bourgeois Publicités digital printing evolution

Thursday 05. September 2024 - Over the years, the company has mastered the art of screen printing and later transitioned to digital technology. Today, it is recognized for its work in visual communication, particularly in creating signage and advertising displays.

Established in 1975 in Saint Grégoire near Rennes, Bourgeois Publicité is led by its founder Jacques Bourgeois and CEO Jean-Michel Joulain.Jacques Bourgeois speaks about his company with the confidence of someone who has accomplished much. Founded in 1975 with just three employees, the company is now a leader in digital printing, especially in the production of corrugated panels, with over 2.5 million units produced. “Initially, we operated on 2000 square meters, and quickly, we needed to expand our production capacity and space,” recounts Jacques Bourgeois. Today, Bourgeois Publicité operates on a 4000-square-meter site.
The company has kept pace with technological advancements in the market. Jacques Bourgeois reflects on the early days of screen printing with a deep, almost physical connection to the material and craft. He notes, “Screen printing is a craft, while digital printing is not,” though the company’s current success is directly tied to digital technology. The presence of a well-maintained four-color screen-printing line serves as a reminder of the company’s origins, which the founder does not shy away from: “A screen printing line offers real mechanics, allowing for in-house maintenance, unlike digital machines, which require some maintenance by the manufacturer,” he asserts.
A new Tauro in the workshop
Bourgeois Publicité currently employs 23 people and has continuously adapted to the latest technological advancements in the industry. Recently, an Agfa Tauro has been added to the workshop to meet the company’s production needs. Specifically, it’s a 3.2-meter-wide Tauro H3300 UHS with white and varnish options. This addition joins a Fuji X3 and a 3.2-meter Vutek. “This machine will provide us with roll-to-roll, varnish, and white printing capabilities. The tests with varnish have been particularly successful, allowing us to expand our commercial offerings with great confidence,” says the founder. “We achieved extraordinary results that we couldn’t get with screen printing.” This bodes well for responding to tenders from platforms, which make up a large part of the company’s revenue.
The need for rapid production was a decisive factor in investing in the Tauro H3300 UHS. “Meeting client demands within the requested time frame has become a sine qua non for attracting and retaining customers,” affirms Jacques Bourgeois. “We aim to expand our customer base with the Tauro and improve our ability to propose solutions to decision-makers. The trust relationship with platforms is crucial for our commercial operations. We must be able to reassure them about quality, deadlines, and our expertise, which they already know. I should also add that the Agfa machine will give operators a fast production tool and ease of use in daily operations,” the entrepreneur enthuses. The company also focuses on post-production. Managing deadlines is crucial, justifying the implementation of numerous internal processes to meet necessary requirements. Production, packaging, and transportation—at every stage, Bourgeois Publicité demonstrates expertise that is acknowledged and appreciated by its clients.
The human factor at the heart of success
The success of a company is not only the result of good organization and production tools but also the value of human resources. Jacques Bourgeois highlights the professionalism of the staff “who show great professionalism at every level of responsibility.” Employee retention is a key element the founder relies on to retain clients as well. Instead of multiple, interchangeable contacts, the focus is on an identified internal client relationship built on trust from past experiences. This allows the company to maintain a high quality of service and an optimal client relationship. The founder strongly believes in this approach, with the client being central to his thinking and the company’s success.
Technical Focus
After the Jeti Tauro H3300 HS, the UHS (ultra-high-speed) model also comes with a varnish option. The Jeti Tauro H3300 UHS LED UV hybrid inkjet printer from Agfa can apply high-gloss or satin varnish at speeds up to 150 m²/h. This Jeti Tauro is the fastest in the Belgian manufacturer’s high-end multi-pass inkjet range, with speeds up to 905 m²/h. The large-format printer can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Configurable with up to six colors plus white and primer, the H3300 UHS handles both rigid substrates—including corrugated cardboard—and flexible substrates up to 3.3 meters wide.
With this new option, manufacturers of corrugated cardboard displays can enhance their prints by adding a varnish layer applied either across the entire surface or selectively. “Varnish enhances prints, giving them a high-end look while providing some degree of protection,” notes Agfa.