Is it real? Image Specialists is sold

Tin Ho

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I have not been to this forum for a while. I don't know if this was discussed before. I just heard from a friend who said he saw an announcement back in May that Image Specialists was sold to another company in Florida. I do not see the announcement myself so I can't say if this is real. Searching the forum revealed nothing. Does anyone know or heard about this? I will try to find more information from my friend. I will ask the friend to show me the announcement. If I can get it I will pass it over here.
 

The Hat

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I heard similar, but taught it was common knowledge in the US. :hu
So now the Cat is out of the Bag.. :woot
 

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Short version, yes... Image Specialists were officially "merged" into STS inks (Florida) a few months ago. In real terms the company was taken over and that naturally has implications for suppliers and customers.

What Image Specialist proponents are not going to like is that STS are ramping up prices considerably, and while an increase was expected, the levels being applied are eye-watering particularly for dye inks.

So far everyone I've spoken to since is seriously considering their options. I personally haven't decided what to do, but have to admit that becoming a monk and eschewing civilisation was on the list for a little while ;)


So, the short version is this... If you rely on Image Specialist inks you can expect end-retailers to put their prices up in the very near future unless they're dumping existing stock and walking away.

If OctoInkjet move to alternative sources, as we have with some of our solutions I'll be sure to highlight that with customers so it's clear...

But yes... interesting times ahead...
 

Roy Sletcher

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Short version, yes... Image Specialists were officially "merged" into STS inks (Florida) a few months ago. In real terms the company was taken over and that naturally has implications for suppliers and customers.

What Image Specialist proponents are not going to like is that STS are ramping up prices considerably, and while an increase was expected, the levels being applied are eye-watering particularly for dye inks.

So far everyone I've spoken to since is seriously considering their options. I personally haven't decided what to do, but have to admit that becoming a monk and eschewing civilisation was on the list for a little while ;)


So, the short version is this... If you rely on Image Specialist inks you can expect end-retailers to put their prices up in the very near future unless they're dumping existing stock and walking away.

If OctoInkjet move to alternative sources, as we have with some of our solutions I'll be sure to highlight that with customers so it's clear...

But yes... interesting times ahead...



WOW I had no idea!

Interesting that a significant change like this takes several months to show up in the internet forums

As an (Up till now) satisfied user of IS inks I am concerned.

Concerned people need to know the implications on quality, price, continuance of supplies, future directions of the brand, and more.

Where is mikling on this issue?


RS

PS - For the first time I have to consider options. What options are available for the Canon Pro-100 inkset.
Opinions please on any viable alternatives. Change takes time - I have to start now.
 

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WOW I had no idea!
In truth I knew things would change as I was informed about the merger itself back in June of this year but aside from an on-again/off-again discussion about development of new inks (Pro-10's and 100's specifically) I didn't get pricing information until last Friday evening.

Interesting that a significant change like this takes several months to show up in the internet forums
I can only speak for myself but I didn't get enough information to make any informed conclusions until Friday and I didn't expect the hike that has been applied.

One small note of caution(relief?). Overall costs aren't solely based on the ink itself so it's not the only cost component (shipping, bottling, labour, and fixed overhead contributions all have to be accounted for) but any increase has to be catered for.

Add to that, some of the changes were more acutely felt by non-North American customer suppliers simply because I.S. had (past tense) two different pricing structures that allowed for the huge shipping costs for such orders. That's all gone now with a one size fits all. Other factors such as variations in individual ink pricing and small order vs' bulk volumes also apply so it's not cut and dry.

What differences it will make to other resellers whether known or own-branding remains to be seen so I wouldn't panic (the way I did before I realised my spreadsheet had errors in it ;)).


So, deep breath... Yes, things have changed... yes, it's worth a little thought.. But no, it's not the end of the world.
 

mikling

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To the end user, there are no changes except that the quality of the dye ink bumps UP with an even higher grade of glycol being used by STS the best available actually.. leveraging the benefits of larger purchasing capabilities.

STS is owned by a young engineer and there are no compromises on quality in their products. The increased cost partly reflects the added costs of the best raw ingredients being used. As an engineer myself I do understand the angle of the new owners.

My prices already were adjusted to the changes a good while back as I receive shipments at least once a month.

To the end user nothing is changed so it was not worth a lengthy discussion at the user level.
 
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The Hat

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On the contrary I reckon there is something to talk and worry about !

STS have just bought a lame duck and saved it’s ass from closing, so now this is what I reckon might happen, but maybe it won’t but here it is warts and all anyway.

STS will try and turn around the I.S. inks with as little input from them as they can possibility get away with, the best way is by bumping up the ink costs as high as they possibility can, and when it shows signs of some clear profits they’ll sell off the retail end and keep the rest !

STS are not interested in supplying inks long term to the low end (Poor profit) desktop market, that’s obvious from where I sit, and up to now they have mainly supplied big industry and the retail markets could all be new to them.

Now I don’t make these comments lightly, so I could be pissing up a rope here and STS may well be the best thing since slice bread for our refill market ! !

But then this is only my opinion and if I am wrong you can disregard all I have said here as total Blarney.
IMHO..:hide
 

mikling

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The acquisition included moving equipment and some staff to Florida where all manufacturing including a host of phD chemists are under one roof now. That does not look like the MBA acquisition and spin off.
 

stratman

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At least two things are important to consider:

1) Why did STS acquire IS?

2) If IS does not financially perform over time then it will be sold off or disappear as a distinct entity.
 

The Hat

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The acquisition included moving equipment and some staff to Florida where all manufacturing including a host of phD chemists are under one roof now. That does not look like the MBA acquisition and spin off.
STS are based in Florida all right and so is their Research and Development but I heard they manufacture in Mexico..
 
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