swissQprint and its exclusive German partner Sihl Direct are realigning themselves. As of 1 April 2017, Sihl Direct is to focus on its core media business, while swissQprint itself will manage the supply of its large format printers to the German market through a new subsidiary. Siegfried Zilliger, Managing Director of Sihl Direct GmbH, and swissQprint CEO Reto Eicher agree: “Both our companies have changed significantly in recent years, and so has the market. A realignment is the logical consequence and the best thing for our customers.”

Accordingly, Sihl Direct and swissQprint have amicably agreed to discontinue their nine-year distribution partnership on 1 April 2017. Sihl Direct will focus more strongly on its established media business in order to continue optimising service to customers. swissQprint is similarly motivated in taking over the distribution of its UV inkjet printers in Germany and will establish a subsidiary for that purpose.

Sihl Direct employees previously working on swissQprint business have been offered positions at the new swissQprint subsidiary. For them and for customers, interactions with accustomed contacts should continue just as before, only now in much greater proximity to the Swiss manufacturer. For swissQprint, this direct interface to the market will be helpful for registering needs better and faster, to the benefit of the entire customer base.

Sihl Direct and swissQprint will be making their final joint appearance at the upcoming Viscom in Frankfurt on 2–4 November 2016, underlining the friendly ties between the companies. It is envisaged that news about the location of the headquarters of the German subsidiary and the composition of the team will be announced at the time of the show.