At the start of the 2024, ARMOR Print Solutions, an ARMOR GROUP company is changing its name to Altkin.
Altkin explained that the name change underlines the company’s commitment to providing alternative solutions, fair solutions that provide freedom from technological and financial constraints, whilst providing a resolute response to environmental concerns
The ambition of Altkin is to extend its fairer, greener “fair printing” model to the entire printing sector, whilst clarifying the four pillars of its offering: Products, Care, Tech and Tailored.
With a turnover of €90 million ($97.4 million), more than 700 employees and 2 million cartridges reused each year, Altkin, an ARMOR GROUP subsidiary, boasts century-old industrial know-how and industrial and logistics centres in Morocco and Europe, coupled with a state-of-the-art R&D laboratory in Germany.
“The name ‘Altkin’ and its slogan ‘Fair Printing’ embody our collective mission to provide alternative pathways to impactful change. It is a sign of our commitment to provide alternative and fair solutions in the digital printing market, freeing our customers from technological and financial constraints, whilst resolutely addressing their environmental concerns,” said Gerwald van der Gijp, Managing Director of Altkin.
ALT: Meaning ‘alternative’, like the ‘alt’ key on the keyboard, which allows the user to change functions and offers several combinations.
KIN: Family or clan. A close-knit group of people. It’s also an anagram of ‘ink’, a nod to its history and profession. The name Altkin echoes its shared mission: to find different ways of creating impact, together.
The curve of the K, the company explained, also evokes a possible fork in the road, the choice of a different route.
“This change of name is a major event, the fruit of a strategic reflection on the circular economy. Altkin is now positioned as the leader in responsible printing in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Coupled with the recent acquisition of THS, this new brand will help to consolidate this activity as one of the pillars of ARMOR GROUP.” said Hubert de Boisredon, Chairman and CEO of ARMOR GROUP.
“Whilst our ambition is to confirm our leadership in the EMEA region as a real and fair alternative in a rapidly evolving market, we are clarifying our product and service offering by creating four pillars – Products, Care, Tech, Tailored – which represent our different activities and brands, making them easier to understand.” added Gerwald van der Gijp.
Through its Products offering, Altkin offers, alternative printing consumables, with its OWA brand cartridges from re-used empties, and certified quality. Altkin’s strategic development plans for the coming years are strongly focused on A3 multifunction printers and professional ink printing solutions, the company explained. “Our objective is to continue to grow by gaining market share while maintaining a consolidation approach with new acquisitions.” said Gerwald van der Gijp.
Secondly, Altkin is continuing to promote its Care offering, a suite of services and software solutions designed to free companies from the constraints associated with managing their printing fleets. “Over the next few years, we will be expanding our services with new functionalities to offer the best possible management tools.” commented Gerwald van der Gijp.
The third pillar, Tech, supported by the A2i (Altkin Industrial Inks Lab) brand, focuses on the creation and custom design of water-based inks. There are many applications, including DTF printing, sublimation, printing on porous surfaces (cardboard, paper towels, tissues, etc.) and printing on flexible packaging. “We see great potential in this market, with a 10-fold increase over the next 10 years.” added Gerwald van der Gijp.
The final pillar, Tailored, covers white-label activities such as the production of alternative consumables, ink refilling and the collection of empty cartridges. “From development to production, from packaging to the delivery of consumables, we take care of everything, allowing our customers to concentrate on their core business, retailing.” explained Gerwald van der Gijp.
“We’re proud to offer an alternative range of products and services that guarantees not only the people who use them, but also our partners, the freedom to have real control over their identity, their uniqueness and their performance!” concluded Gerwald van der Gijp.
