How HP Technology Enables Agility and Resilience in a Volatile World
This article is based on a podcast discussion with Yale Goldis, Director of Strategy, Commercial Products and Solutions at HP PageWide, and Eran Lazar, VP of Product, Strategy, and Business Development at HP Indigo. Listen to the podcast here.
Since October ‘24, my work with HP has been a fascinating content journey—engaging in discussions with key leaders across the HP Industrial Print team. Each brings a distinct perspective shaped by their role, experience, market focus, location, and culture. While this diversity is compelling, one common thread runs through every conversation: digital printing technology is not just thriving in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world—it is driving a revolution in customer demand.
For any new technology to gain traction, there must be a convergence of technical capability and customer need—a balance of ‘push’ and ‘pull.’ When these align, real transformation happens. From my conversation with Yale and Eran, it’s evident that today’s unpredictability is not hindering innovation but accelerating it.
Terms like ‘revolution’ and ‘transformation’ are often overused in discussions about innovation, serving more as buzzwords than meaningful insights. But industries are not built on hope alone. What is clear to me is that HP’s strategy is not based on wishful thinking; it is rooted in a deep, data-driven understanding of customer demand and an intuitive grasp of market direction. Their product roadmap reflects this philosophy, striking a balance between long-term vision and the agility to adapt—an essential combination for maintaining leadership and ensuring business longevity.
In the podcast, Yale and Eran shared their insights on how thermal inkjet and liquid electrophotography (LEP) technologies are shaping the future of print, why sustainability is central to their strategy, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining operational efficiency. Their perspectives reinforce what I’ve come to witness firsthand—digital print is not just adapting to change; it is leading it.
An Inflection Point
The global print industry stands at a pivotal moment. Once dominated by analog processes and long production cycles, it is now embracing digital transformation at an accelerating pace. This shift is not merely about improving efficiency—it is reshaping the entire ecosystem, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, supply chain complexity, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability.
HP is at the forefront of this evolution, leveraging AI, automation, and sustainable innovations to redefine industrial printing. By offering a portfolio that includes both Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) and Liquid Electrophotography (LEP), HP provides print service providers (PSPs) and converters with the flexibility to blend technologies and maximize value. This enhances resilience, adaptability, and overall operational efficiency.
A Volatile World Demands Agility
Few industries exemplify the challenges of a VUCA world better than printing. From fluctuating consumer demand in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to shifting regulatory and sustainability requirements, PSPs face unprecedented pressures.
Yet, according to HP executives Yale Goldis and Eran Lazar, these challenges present opportunities. “Our customers’ needs are constantly evolving, and our role is to ensure that our technologies evolve alongside them,” explains Lazar. HP understands that different markets require tailored solutions. The company engages extensively with customers through its advisory boards and the dscoop community—an initiative that connects over 20,000 customers and partners—to shape its development roadmap collaboratively.
The Digital Advantage
HP’s commitment to digital print is not just about keeping up with change—it is about leading it. The company’s portfolio is built on two core technologies: Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) and Liquid Electrophotography (LEP). While TIJ powers HP’s PageWide solutions for high-volume printing, LEP remains the foundation of HP Indigo’s premium-quality presses. Together, these technologies provide PSPs with unparalleled flexibility, enabling them to optimize for cost, speed, and quality depending on specific job requirements.
According to Goldis, digital printing’s primary advantage is its ability to meet the demands of an increasingly dynamic market. “Digital enables printers to say ‘yes’ more often—to shorter runs, customized jobs, and diverse applications,” he notes. This shift for example is evident in the book printing sector, where digital presses have reduced waste by aligning production more closely with demand. Additionally, HP’s advancements in energy-efficient drying and ink technologies underscore the environmental benefits of digital printing.
AI and Automation: The New Frontier
Artificial intelligence and automation are now at the heart of HP’s innovation strategy. The company has embedded AI-driven solutions across its platforms, from on-press color profiling to automated workflow optimization. One notable example is within the recently announced products of HP Indigo 120K and HP Indigo 18K digital presses, the Auto Alert Agent (AAA) , an AI-powered system that monitors print quality in real time, detecting and correcting defects without operator intervention. “It’s like having an expert embedded in the machine,” Lazar remarks. “It ensures consistency and reduces the burden on skilled operators, who are increasingly scarce.”
HP is also investing in broader automation solutions beyond the press itself. The company’s intelligent work cell controller dynamically batches and sequences jobs, optimizing the entire production process. Meanwhile, partnerships with autonomous mobile robot (AMR) providers are helping PSPs streamline material handling on the shop floor. This vision of a fully automated, AI-enhanced print ecosystem—what HP calls ‘nonstop digital printing’—is rapidly becoming a reality.
Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage
Sustainability is no longer a secondary consideration—it is a business imperative. HP’s approach extends beyond compliance, positioning the company as a leader in environmental responsibility. “The advantage of digital is not just efficiency but the ability to drive sustainability at scale,” Goldis emphasizes.
HP’s latest innovations reflect this commitment. The key innovations include the HP Indigo’s CMYK+ with new advancements such as a higher ink solid concentration and the Printing Imaging Plate (PIP+) with a new formulation in two key layers. This package increases press availability by reducing the need for replacements with the new CMYK+ and PIP+, saving up to a total of 6 hours per month — freeing up more time to print profitable pages. The use of the new supplies package reduces up to 16% of the carbon emissions from supply consumption for an average job printed on a typical HP Indigo digital press.
These advancements, combined with energy-efficient presses and a strong push toward circularity—95% of PageWide presses remain in operation today—underscore HP’s role in driving industry-wide sustainability gains.
The Future of Industrial Print
Looking ahead, the transformation of industrial printing is set to accelerate. Digital adoption is expanding beyond traditional segments, penetrating commercial, packaging, and flexible printing markets. Lazar envisions a future where digital’s share of the industry will grow substantially, driven by its unmatched versatility and sustainability benefits.
Yet, as technology advances, the human element remains crucial. HP continues to invest in a comprehensive customer operator training programme, offering structured onboarding and ongoing skill development. Additionally, the company’s ‘value pack’ upgrades ensure that presses remain future-proof, extending their lifecycle and maximizing return on investment.
In a world where adaptability is the key to survival, HP is positioning itself not just as a technology provider but as a strategic partner for its customers. By integrating AI, automation, and sustainability into a cohesive digital print ecosystem, HP is helping shape an industry that is smarter, more efficient, and ultimately, more resilient.