Hybrid Software Group’s Global Graphics Software granted US patent for variable data optimization

Method for organizing collections of pages efficiently through a RIP farm.

Cambridge UK, 30 June, 2022: Global Graphics Software, a Hybrid Software Group (Euronext: HYSG) company, has been granted a US patent for “Methods and systems for organizing variable data documents including those with long repeat lengths” (United States Patent No. 11,334,303) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent covers how the control system of a digital printer decides which pages to send to which RIP in a RIP farm – where multiple RIPs are running simultaneously – to optimize their delivery.

Global Graphics Software is a developer of innovative software components for digital print including the Harlequin RIP®, the Direct range, and ScreenPro™, the fastest solutions on the market for driving data through digital presses and ensuring high quality output.

The patent describes a solution to the challenge of scheduling the submission of pages from a variable data job to each RIP in a RIP farm, given the conflicting demands of:

  • wanting pages to be delivered in the order required for printing, to minimize memory requirements and the potential for stalling RIPs to wait for late-arriving pages;
  • wanting each RIP to receive as many pages with the same re-used elements on them as possible to maximize the efficiency of variable data optimization.

Justin Bailey, Global Graphics Software’s managing director, explains, “in combination with several other related patents, Global Graphics Software is continuing to innovate on behalf of our OEM customers by developing technologies and products that can drive their digital presses at speed, but with the minimum bill of materials for their digital front ends.

“Digital print OEMs want get page rasters out of the RIP farm in the order in which they are to be printed.  But that competes with the need to process them efficiently at speed by sending collections of pages with reused graphics or elements to the same RIP in the farm.  This patent is all about optimizing the scheduling and the way in which variable data is handled in the RIP.  Our method is one of the reasons that our Harlequin brand is the fastest on the market.

“We’re delighted that this invention has been recognized with a US patent. This method reduces the bill of materials for an OEM building a press because you need less RAM.  The risk of starving the press and leaving it idle is reduced because pages are ready in time.  Lastly, overall average throughput on the press is maximized because you’re maximizing efficiency of the variable data optimization.”

This patented method is used by the Harlequin RIP®, Harlequin Core; Harlequin Direct and SmartDFE.

Ends

Notes to editors

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology developer ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software; enterprise software developer HYBRID Software;  developers of the industry’s largest library of modelling templates for digital packaging design and prototyping iC3D; industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet; and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

Global Graphics, Harlequin, Direct and SmartDFE are trademarks of Global Graphics Software Limited which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Global Graphics is a trademark of Hybrid Software Group PLC which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Media contacts:

Jill Taylor, Corporate Communications Director Hybrid Software Group
Jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group
Tel +44 (0)1223 926489
US Tel: +1 978 631 0414

Paula Halpin, PR & Marketing Manager
Global Graphics Software
Paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926017
US Tel: +1 781 996 4201

Hybrid Software Group showcases digital inkjet solutions at FESPA

Cambridge UK, 12 May, 2022: Hybrid Software Group (Euronext: HYSG) is exhibiting at FESPA (Berlin, 31 May – 3 June, Hall 25, Stand B50) to showcase solutions for the digital production of textiles, packaging, décor, wide format and specialty graphics.

The stand will feature a demonstration of the SmartDFE (digital front end), a full software and hardware stack that delivers mass customisation at mass production prices by adding the power of inkjet printing into the smart factory.  It is the first product co-developed by companies in the Hybrid Software Group: ColorLogic GmbH, iC3D, HYBRID Software, Global Graphics Software, Meteor Inkjet and Xitron.

The stand will also showcase solutions from Global Graphics Software, developers of the Harlequin RIP®, ScreenPro™ and PrintFlat™, and Meteor Inkjet, a leading supplier of industrial inkjet printhead electronics, software, tools and services.

Smart DFE is designed to be part of a fully automated manufacturing solution, supporting Industry 4.0 telematics and MIS integration.  It brings together in one powerful solution the creation of optimized print-ready PDF files; workflow and job automation to connect with enterprise IT systems; RIPping; screening; optimized image quality; and, via Harlequin Direct™, it drives the print data directly to the printheads at blistering speeds through Meteor software and electronics.

SmartDFE  meets the need for fully variable data, gives complete control of the print workflow, and provides valuable information for QA and inspection, press maintenance, and stock control. Its Smart Media Manager™ tunes the press for optimum print quality through the generation of smart media definitions, including ICC profiles for specific ink types and media using technology from ColorLogic GmbH.

Meteor Inkjet will showcase their portfolio of industrial solutions for graphics, signage, décor, packaging and textile applications including the world’s largest range of drive electronics for all major industrial inkjet printheads; ready-to-use Digital Front Ends; Software Development Kits allowing bespoke printers to be built from the ground up; and a complete suite of tools and services to support OEMs in the design and optimisation of print systems.

Hybrid Software Group CEO Mike Rottenborn says, “With the expansion of Hybrid Software Group we are unique in the industry as the only supplier of all core technologies, software and electronics, required for inkjet printing.   Our SmartDFE enables manufacturers of digital printers or digital printing sub-systems to sell into highly automated manufacturing settings and helps their customers embrace initiatives like Industry 4.0.

“SmartDFE relies on tight, high-speed integration, communication and control between components from the job creation all the way to the printheads.  It enables our customer to collect detailed data from each printing device and the wider factory, and uses that data to predict and control the press for high efficiency print manufacturing.”

 

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, Inèdit and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology developer ColorLogic GmbH: printing software developers Global Graphics Software;  digital packaging design and prototyping, iC3D; enterprise software developer HYBRID Software; the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet; and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

 

Contacts:

Jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com

Tracey.brown@meteorinkjet.com

Hybrid Software Group: Result of the Annual General Meeting

Cambridge (UK) 10 May 2022 – Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) announces the result of its Annual General Meeting.

At the Company’s Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) held today, the resolutions proposed at the meeting were passed without amendment.

 

The results of the voting are as follows:

Resolution For Against Withheld Total Result
1 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
2 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
3 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
4 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
5 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
6 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
7 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
8 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
9 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
10 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
11 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
12 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass
13 22,771,607 0 0 22,771,607 100.00% Pass

 

Details of the resolutions passed are available in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting, which is available on the Company’s website at https://www.hybridsoftware.group/investors/shareholders-annual-general-meeting

 

Board of directors

Effective from the AGM on 10 May 2022, the board of directors is:

  • Guido Van der Schueren, Executive Chairman
  • Michael Rottenborn, Chief Executive Officer
  • Graeme Huttley, Chief Financial Officer
  • Clare Findlay, non-executive director
  • Luc De Vos, non-executive director

 

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology experts ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software, enterprise software developer HYBRID Software, 3D design and modelling software developers iC3D, the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

 

Contacts
Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@hybridsoftware.group

Hybrid Software Group releases Q1 results in line with last year

Cambridge (UK) 03 May 2022 (08.00 CEST) – Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) provides a trading update for the three months ended 31 March 2022.

Mike Rottenborn, CEO comments, “The first quarter of 2022 saw strong sales in the Printing Software and Enterprise Software segments, which helped offset a downturn in Printhead Solutions revenue due to the global shortage of electronic components.  Our top-notch engineering team quickly redesigned one of our key products to use more readily available components, and we expect to make up this shortfall in Q2 and throughout the rest of the year.  The strategic acquisition of iC3D was completed in March 2022 so it had little impact on the Q1 operating results.

“Group EBITDA was down slightly in Q1 due to additional hiring and personnel costs, as well as increased sales and marketing expenses as business travel and industry trade shows return to pre-pandemic normal levels.  Although business conditions remain challenging, with rising inflation and the war in Ukraine causing uncertainty for our customers, we have delivered profitable growth throughout the difficult climate of the pandemic, and we expect to continue this in to the future.”

 

Financial highlights for the three months ended 31 March 2022

The following information is unaudited.

  • Revenue for the period was €12.45 million (2021: €12.24 million)
  • EBITDA for the period was €2.74 million, or 22% of revenue (2021: €3.22 million, 26% of revenue)

 

Segment analysis

The following tables provide unaudited information about revenue from external customers and EBITDA for the Group’s operating segments for the current and previous financial years. EBITDA is calculated by adding back interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to net profit.

For more information about the Group’s operating segments, refer to the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2021, which is available from https://www.hybridsoftware.group/investors/financial-reports.

 

For the three months ended 31 March 2022:

In millions of euros (unaudited) Enterprise Software Printhead Solutions Printing Software Group Total
Revenue from external customers 5.85 1.70 4.90 12.45
 
Segment EBITDA 1.35 (0.09) 1.76 (0.28) 2.74
as a % of revenue 23% (5%) 36% 22%

 

For the three months ended 31 March 2021:

In millions of euros (unaudited) Enterprise Software Printhead Solutions Printing Software Group Total
Revenue from external customers 5.38 4.54 2.32 12.24
 
Segment EBITDA 2.12 1.37 0.01 (0.28) 3.22
as a % of revenue 39% 30% 0% 26%

 

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology experts ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software, enterprise software developer HYBRID Software, 3D design and modelling software developers iC3D, the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

 

Contacts

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@hybridsoftware.group

Global Graphics Software and APS Engineering create an OPC UA-enabled ink delivery system for networked inkjet printers

Global Graphics Software, a leading developer of innovative software components for digital print, has partnered with APS Engineering to create an OPC UA-enabled ink delivery system to communicate with any aspect of an industrial inkjet ecosystem.

Its development means that the printer can be monitored remotely from an iPad or from a browser on the desktop, or that data can be stored from the ink delivery system in a historical archive database to enable other functions like predictive maintenance.

OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) is the interoperability standard for the secure and reliable exchange of data in the industrial automation space and in other industries. It is platform-independent and ensures the seamless flow of information among devices from multiple vendors. The ink delivery system sends information to a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, which is used to control and monitor the print subsystem and other devices in the factory.

“Within a few weeks we had added an OPC UA interface to the ink delivery system using an inexpensive embedded controller as a gateway. Without writing another line of code we can now send the data and control to SCADA and cloud processing systems like AWS IoT Sitewise,” comments Eric Worrall, Global Graphics Software’s vice president of product and services.

The companies worked together to create the OPC UA-enabled ink delivery system for SmartDFE™, a full software and hardware stack that adds print to the fully automated smart factory. Global Graphics Software built an OPC server for APS and created a user interface for the client in the Smart Print Controller™ so that the two can talk to each other. Global Graphics also built a SCADA-based implementation so that all the ink system data can be viewed via a standard SCADA package.

Ends

The Mega Ink Delivery System for high-volume, multi-printhead production, one of the OPC UA-enabled ink delivery systems from APS Engineering.

About Global Graphics Software
Global Graphics Software www.globalgraphics.com is a leading developer of platforms for digital printing, including the Harlequin RIP®, SmartDFE™, ScreenPro™, Fundamentals™, Mako™ and Direct™. Customers include HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Kodak and AgfaThe roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the iconic university town of Cambridge, and today the majority of the R&D team is still based near there. Global Graphics Software is a subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG).

Contact
Paula Halpin, PR & Marketing Manager, Global Graphics Software
paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com  |  Tel: +44 (0)1223 926017

About APS Engineering
APS Engineering creates cutting-edge ink delivery systems for inkjet printing, additive manufacturing, and micro-dispensing. APS offers an innovative line of precision ink or fluid delivery systems for all stages of production, as well as printbar design and consulting services for custom projects. aps-engineering.com

Contact:
Jaren Marler
inquiries@aps-engineering.com

Hybrid Software Group PLC reports excellent results for 2021 with €48.6 million revenue and €12.2 million EBITDA

Cambridge (UK), 21 April 2022 (18:00 CEST): Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) announces that it has published its annual report and financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2021.

The full document is available to download from the financial reports section of the Company’s web site at:  https://www.hybridsoftware.group/investors/financial-reports.

Mike Rottenborn, CEO comments, “2021 was a remarkable year for Hybrid Software Group. Despite the shadow of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to successfully conclude two major acquisitions, rebrand the Group to reflect our focus on software for inkjet manufacturing, re-energise the core RIP business of Global Graphics Software, and more than double our revenue from 2020 largely due to the acquisition of HYBRID Software, while increasing our EBITDA to 25% and our cash position to more than €9 million. Our 275+ global employees are dedicated to the success of our customers through expert technical support and non-stop innovation.  With another acquisition already under our belt in 2022, I look forward to the continued growth and success of Hybrid Software Group and all our customers worldwide.”

Executive chairman, Guido Van der Schueren adds, “The acquisition of HYBRID Software in January 2021 broadened our focus from OEM component sales to high-margin enterprise software for both OEMs and end users, and we wasted no time integrating HYBRID Software into the Group.  Despite the challenging business environment in 2021, we were able to grow revenues by nearly 25% and EBITDA by more than 20% when compared to the combined operating results of the previously separate entities in 2020.  We have many plans for 2022 and beyond to leverage the power of the full Group and combine our OEM products with our end user products and sales channels to achieve further growth.  With these results, we remain firmly on track to achieve our target of €100 million revenue and €35 million EBITDA in 2026.”

 

Financial highlights

For the year ended 31 December
In thousands of euros 2021 2020
Continuing operations    
Revenue 48,562 22,494
Operating profit 4,770 1,387
Profit before tax 4,565 1,693
Tax benefit 349 58
Profit from continuing operations 4,914 1,751
Discontinued operation
Profit from discontinued operation, net of tax 4,167
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders 4,914 5,918
EBITDA – continuing operations 12,211 4,711
Adjusted operating profit – continuing operations 7,308 2,355
Adjusted net profit – continuing operations 6,390 2,522
Basic earnings per share (euro) – continuing operations 0.15 0.15
Adjusted earnings per share (euro) – continuing operations 0.20 0.22
Available cash 9,234 6,855

 

The consolidated profit before tax for continuing operations was €4.57 million compared with a profit of €1.69 million in 2020. The increase in profitability of €2.88 million is due to:

  • an increase in revenue of €26.07 million;
  • an increase in cost of sales of €3.23 million;
  • an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of €13.86 million;
  • an increase in research and development expenses of €5.66 million;
  • a decrease in other operating expenses of €0.03 million;
  • an increase in other income of €0.03 million;
  • an increase in net finance income of €0.55 million; and
  • an increase in foreign exchange losses of €1.05 million.

 

Revenue for the Printing Software segment (previously named Software) included sales by ColorLogic from November 2021 and totalled €13.84 million for the year (2020: €12.67 million).

Revenue for the Printhead Solutions segment was €13.98 million for the year (2020: €9.82 million).

Revenue for the Enterprise Software segment (a new segment in the year as a result of the acquisition of HYBRID Software in January 2021) was €20.74 million for the year.

Gross profit for the period increased to 82.5% of revenue (2020: 76.7%), primarily due to the higher mix of software related sales during the year, particularly higher margin sales to end users by HYBRID Software.

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses is amortisation of €0.84 million (2020: €0.59 million) related to intangible assets recognised as a result of acquisitions.

Research and development expenses includes the capitalisation and amortisation of internally generated intangible assets and the amortisation of certain intangible assets recognised as a result of acquisitions. During the period there was a net capitalisation of development expenditure of €2.39 million (2020: €0.72) and amortisation of acquired intangible assets of €3.93 million (2020: €1.78 million).

The exchange rate losses are primarily due to the revaluation of currency balances held at the balance sheet date and the change in exchange rates during the year.

The Group presents EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) and adjusted profit when reporting its financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate the Group’s results in a manner that focuses on what the Group believes to be its underlying business operations.  The Group’s management believes that the inclusion of adjusted financial results provides consistency and comparability with past reports.

Additional commentary and analysis of the Group’s consolidated results for the year ending 31 December 2021 can be found in the annual report and financial statements.

Should you wish to receive a printed copy of the annual report, please send an e-mail to investor-relations@hybridsoftware.group or make your request in writing, for the attention of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, to 2030 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6DW, UK.

 

Annual General Meeting

The Company will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday 10 May 2022.  The official notice of the meeting is available on the Company’s website at https://www.hybridsoftware.group/investors/shareholders-annual-general-meeting.

 

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology experts ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software, enterprise software developer HYBRID Software, 3D design and modelling software developers iC3D, the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

 

Contacts
Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@hybridsoftware.group

Hybrid Software Group PLC: Notice of Annual General Meeting

Cambridge (UK) 12 April 2022: Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) announces details of its Annual General Meeting.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of Hybrid Software Group PLC (the “Company”) will be held by video conference on Tuesday 10 May 2022 at 11:00 hrs (CEST).

A copy of the notice, including explanatory notes, is available on the Company’s web site at https://www.hybridsoftware.group/investors/shareholders-annual-general-meeting. The meeting notice and explanatory notes have also been mailed to the registered address of all registered shareholders.

All proxy voting will be conducted electronically via the Company’s share registrar, Link Group.  Details of which have been provided to registered shareholders.  For shares held in nominee accounts please contact the nominee account provider to establish their process for submitting proxy votes.

Registered shareholders are invited to join the meeting by video conference and must register by 15:00 hrs (CEST) on Monday 9 May 2022.  To register for the meeting please email your request to investor-relations@hybridsoftware.group.

 

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology experts ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software, enterprise software developer HYBRID Software, 3D design and modelling software developers iC3D, the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

 

Contacts

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@hybridsoftware.group

Hybrid Software Group PLC amends financial reporting calendar

Cambridge (UK), 29 March 2022: Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) (the “Company”) announces that the publication of its annual report will be delayed and the financial reporting calendar has been amended.

Annual report
As a result of Brexit, the Company’s auditors are not recognised under Belgium law as a third-country auditor and the laws of Belgium have not been passed to change that circumstance. The Company’s contingency plan for this scenario is to have a dual audit opinion that satisfies both the UK company law requirements and the Belgian market regulator’s requirements.  This will also enable the Company to complete the Prospectus in relation to the 2021 acquisition of HYBRID Software Group S.à r.l..

The dual audit opinion involves two auditors, one from the UK and one from Belgium and a significant increase in the work required. A period of contingency was factored into the audit plan, but, combined with the increased first-year audit work for the acquisitions made during 2021, additional time is required to complete the work.

Subsequently, the publication of the annual report will be delayed and will be published on or before Friday 22 April 2022.

Quarter 1 trading update
The trading update for the 3 months ending 31 March 2022 will now be published before market opening on Tuesday 3 May 2022.

Annual General Meeting
The Company intends to publish a much more detailed annual report to explain the breadth of the business, including recent acquisitions. To allow all shareholders to properly read the annual report and cast their proxy votes, the Company’s annual general meeting has been postponed until Tuesday 10 May 2022. The meeting’s timing, venue, and final agenda will be provided in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory provisions.

About Hybrid Software Group
Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology experts ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software, enterprise software developer HYBRID Software, 3D design and modelling software developers iC3D, the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

Contacts
Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@hybridsoftware.group

Hybrid Software Group PLC acquires 3D software business

Cambridge (UK), 15 March 2022 (08:00 CET): Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) announces today that on 14 March 2022 it acquired the business and assets related to iC3D from Creative Edge Software LLC.

The iC3D software suite generates photorealistic 3D virtual mock-ups on the fly, allowing cartons, labels, flexibles, bottles, shrink sleeves, point of sale displays, and in-store visualisation to be accurately rendered for design verification and e-commerce applications.  In addition, iC3D offers the industry’s largest library of modelling templates for digital packaging design and prototyping as well as an online viewing platform which allows designers, brands, and print providers to collaborate on new designs with accurate real-time 3D rendering.  Further information can be found at https://www.creativeedgesoftware.com/ic3d/.

Mike Rottenborn, CEO of Hybrid Software Group, comments, “3D and additive manufacturing applications are one of our fastest-growing market segments for printhead drive electronics and software, but visualisation of packaging designs in 3D was a gap in our technology portfolio.  The acquisition of iC3D strengthens our 3D offering and closes the loop between the design of high-end labels and packaging and industrial print manufacturing.  We already have an integration of iC3D in our PACKZ and CLOUDFLOW software with a substantial installed base of users that have licensed the iC3D option and we look forward to broader integration of iC3D in our Digital Front Ends (DFEs) and other software products.”

Trevor Haworth, CEO of Creative Edge says, “We formed Creative Edge Software in 2013 to develop 3D software that would give packaging and label designers an all-in-one product to replace the many partial rendering solutions in use at the time. Since then, iC3D has become the product of choice for many leading brands.  Almost since the start, HYBRID Software became one of our largest value-added resellers by combining iC3D’s fast visualization capabilities with their range of packaging production software products, and a close relationship between the development teams was established. Our acquisition by Hybrid Software Group is the logical step in co-development of some exciting new products for the packaging market and I look forward to our expansion under the additional resources provided by such a successful group.”

Consideration for the acquisition is $4.0 million in cash, which has been paid in full.

Watch a video about iC3D here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mHerA0zj9w

From left, Mike Rottenborn, Trevor Haworth, and Guido Van der Schueren celebrate the acquisition.

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology experts ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software, enterprise software developer HYBRID Software, the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

Contacts

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@hybridsoftware.group

Hybrid Software Group’s Global Graphics Software granted US patent for PrintFlat technology

Groundbreaking software mitigates artifacts in the inkjet printing process

Cambridge UK, 10 February 2022: Global Graphics Software, a Hybrid Software Group (Euronext: HYSG) company, has been granted a US patent for “Systems and methods for printer density compensation and stability” (Patent 11,167,549) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent relates to the technology which underlies PrintFlat™, Global Graphics’ groundbreaking software that improves uniformity and removes unwanted banding from inkjet output, enabling digital production of a wide range of products including wide format graphics, flooring and décor, laminates, and packaging.

Global Graphics Software is a developer of innovative software components for digital print including the Harlequin RIP®, the Direct range, and ScreenPro™, the fastest solutions on the market for driving data through digital presses and ensuring high quality output.

Mike Rottenborn, CEO of Hybrid Software Group, explains, “We are delighted that this invention has been recognized with a US patent.  It is a truly innovative solution which enables inkjet press manufacturers to obtain uniformity and stability without sacrificing one over the other, giving them greater freedom in how they design and optimize their printing systems.  Its value has been proven in production by our customers for nearly five years, and we believe that this patent will encourage other inkjet manufacturers to implement PrintFlat in their solutions.”

PrintFlat software masks the banding or unwanted patterning in inkjet printing that is caused by variations in inkjet printheads that jet ink onto a printing surface.  It also compensates for manufacturing differences between new printheads.  PrintFlat is quick to deploy, cost-effective and can be added to any inkjet press already out in the field.  Problems can be particularly acute in large format printing as well as décor applications such as wallpaper and flooring and certain colours are more susceptible to visual imperfection than others.  The advantage to print service providers is that they can print more jobs digitally than previously and offer a wider range of printed products to their customers.

PrintFlat has been welcomed by the industrial inkjet and graphic community. In 2019 it received a Printing Industries of America Technology Award for its innovation and potential to significantly impact the industry.

Ends

Notes to editors

About Hybrid Software Group

Through its operating subsidiaries, Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext: HYSG) is a leading developer of enterprise software for industrial print manufacturing. Customers include press manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Durst, Roland, Hymmen, and hundreds of packaging printers, trade shops, and converters worldwide.

 

Hybrid Software Group PLC is headquartered in Cambridge UK. Its subsidiary companies are colour technology developer ColorLogic, printing software developers Global Graphics Software; enterprise software developer HYBRID Software; the industrial printhead driver solutions specialists, Meteor Inkjet; and pre-press workflow developer Xitron.

Global Graphics and Direct are trademarks of Global Graphics Software Limited which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Global Graphics is a trademark of Hybrid Software Group PLC which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

           

 

 

Media contacts:

 

Jill Taylor, Corporate Communications Director Hybrid Software Group

Jill.taylor@hybridsoftware.group

Tel +44 (0)1223 926489

US Tel: +1 978 631 0414

 

 

 

Paula Halpin, PR & Marketing Manager

Global Graphics Software

Paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com

Tel: +44 (0)1223 926017

US Tel: +1 781 996 4201