Global Inkjet Systems

HardwareCambridge, UKFounded 2006· One of 1757 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Develops application software, drive electronics, and ink delivery systems for industrial inkjet printheads, enabling single-pass, XY scanning, and 3D printing applications across packaging, textiles, labels, and materials deposition.

CEO / Founder: Steve Williamson
Team Size: 51-200
Stage: Acquired
Total Funding: $18.1M
Latest Round: Acquired
Key Investors: Nano Dimension Ltd (NASDAQ: NNDM) — Acquirer, January 2022

Technology & Products

Key Products

PrintHead Drive Electronics (modular, multi-architecture support); Print Manager Boards; RIP Software and Datapath Control Software; Ink Delivery Systems and Fluid Sub-systems; Application Software for XY Scanning and Single-Pass Systems

Technological Advantage

Proprietary software stack (Print Manager, RIP, datapath control) integrated with custom drive electronics creates switching cost for OEMs; architectural modularity and printhead-agnosticism reduce customer risk vs. single-supplier solutions; 24/7 reliability track record in mission-critical industrial systems.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces time-to-market for OEMs via modular, scalable inkjet subsystems (software, electronics, fluid delivery) that support all major printhead manufacturers (Fujifilm Dimatix, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Ricoh, Xaar, SII, Toshiba TEC); proven 24/7 reliability in rugged industrial environments; platform for rapid prototyping and product customization.

How They Differentiate

GIS differentiates via agnostic printhead support (no lock-in to single manufacturer), deep software-electronics integration, modular architecture reducing OEM integration risk, and 17+ years of proven reliability. Unlike competitors tied to single printhead technology, GIS enables OEMs to switch printheads without core software/electronics redesign.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

OEM inkjet printer manufacturers; industrial print systems integrators; 3D printing system builders

Industry Verticals

3D Printing; Product Decoration; Labels; Textiles; Packaging; Décor; Materials Deposition

Competitors

Xaar (integrated printhead + electronics); Fujifilm Dimatix (OEM printhead supplier with application software); Internal solutions by major OEMs (Ricoh, Kyocera, Konica Minolta)

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

17+ years of proven innovation (since 2006); thousands of installed printheads globally; proven 24/7 reliability in industrial environments; major OEM partnerships with 8+ printhead manufacturers.

Major Milestones

November 2006 — GIS founded by Nick Geddes and Jim Brotton; 2006–2021 — 15+ years of R&D in industrial inkjet software, electronics, and fluid systems; January 2022 — Acquired by Nano Dimension (NASDAQ: NNDM) to expand Additively Manufactured Electronics (AME) portfolio; 2022–Present — Operating as Nano Dimension division; expanded focus on 3D electronics manufacturing via inkjet printheads

Notable Customers

Thousands of installed printheads in single-pass, XY scanning, and 3D printing systems (OEM integrations, not disclosed by end-customer names)

https://www.globalinkjetsystems.com

Why this company matters

Global Inkjet Systems (GIS) supplies the subsystems that OEMs integrate into industrial inkjet printers and 3D material deposition systems. Unlike competitors that tie electronics and software to a single printhead brand, GIS supports eight printhead manufacturers including Fujifilm Dimatix, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Ricoh, and Xaar. This agnostic architecture lets OEMs switch printheads without redesigning core control software or drive electronics, reducing integration risk and time-to-market.

The product stack includes PrintHead Drive Electronics, Print Manager Boards, RIP and datapath control software, and ink delivery systems. GIS also provides application software for XY scanning and single-pass configurations. The proprietary Atlas software platform handles machine control and configuration. Since its acquisition by Nano Dimension in January 2022, GIS has focused on additively manufactured electronics (AME), using inkjet printheads to deposit conductive and dielectric materials for 3D circuit boards.

GIS targets OEM printer manufacturers, industrial print system integrators, and 3D printing system builders. Its subsystems are deployed in packaging, textiles, labels, product decoration, and materials deposition. The company claims thousands of installed printheads operating in 24/7 industrial environments, a reliability track record that creates switching costs for OEMs once they integrate GIS software and electronics into their platforms.

The primary competitive risk is that major printhead OEMs such as Xaar and Fujifilm Dimatix offer their own integrated electronics and software, potentially capturing OEMs that prefer a single-vendor solution. GIS's differentiation depends on maintaining broad printhead support and modularity as the inkjet and AME markets mature.