Industry leaders gathered in Boca Raton to explore how automation, connected workflows, and operational efficiency are helping print providers move from print to profit.
At thINK Ahead 2026, one theme echoed throughout the conference: the future of print belongs to organizations that can adapt quickly, embrace innovation, and continuously improve operational efficiency. From discussions around AI and workforce challenges to workflow optimization and new revenue opportunities, attendees explored the strategies needed to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
As a proud sponsor of this year's event, Tecnau | Sitma was honored to join customers, partners, and industry leaders in Boca Raton for three days of learning, networking, and collaboration.
For our team, the conference provided the perfect opportunity to share a message that continues to guide our approach to customer success:
“thINK Ahead continues to be one of the industry's most valuable opportunities to exchange ideas and discuss the future of production print. We're energized by the opportunity to help more organizations connect print, finishing, and packaging workflows through smarter automation with Tecnau and Sitma solutions,” commented Francis McMahon, President and CMO, Tecnau Inc. and Sitma USA.
From Print to Profit.
Technology investments are important. But profitability is what ultimately drives growth.
During our thINK Theater presentation, How Tecnau | Sitma Leads by Empowering Customers: From Print to Profit, we explored how automation is helping print service providers maximize the value of their equipment investments while overcoming many of today's most pressing operational challenges.
Across the industry, organizations continue to face labor shortages, increasing production complexity, shorter run lengths, faster turnaround expectations, and pressure to improve operating efficiency. At the same time, production inkjet technology continues to create new opportunities for growth. The challenge is finding the right balance between productivity, flexibility, and profitability.
That is where automation becomes critical.
Automation as a Competitive Advantage
Since 1988, Tecnau has focused on helping customers automate paper handling, processing, and finishing operations. Today, combined with Sitma's expertise in packaging, fulfillment, e-commerce, and logistics automation, we provide solutions that extend well beyond the pressroom.
During our presentation, we highlighted automation technologies designed to eliminate manual touchpoints, reduce makeready time, support unattended production, and enable faster job changeovers. From roll-fed finishing and booklet production to right-sized packaging and intelligent workflow monitoring, every solution is designed with a common objective: Helping customers produce more while increasing profitability.
Beyond Print: Expanding the Value Chain
One of the key messages shared during our session was that automation opportunities no longer stop at print finishing.
With the addition of Sitma, Tecnau's vision now extends across print fulfillment, packaging, e-commerce, mailing, and distribution workflows. By connecting these operations, organizations can unlock new efficiencies, improve customer experiences, and create additional revenue opportunities.
As customer expectations continue to evolve, many print service providers are looking for ways to expand beyond traditional print applications. Integrated automation helps create the agility necessary to support that growth.
Innovation on Display
Of course, one of the major highlights of thINK Ahead 2026 was Canon's U.S. unveiling of the new varioPRESS iV7 B2+ sheetfed inkjet press. The launch generated tremendous excitement and reinforced the industry's ongoing commitment to innovation, productivity, and growth.
For Tecnau | Sitma, events like thINK Ahead are particularly valuable because they bring together the technologies, workflows, and industry expertise required to help customers maximize the return on these production investments.
Our longstanding collaboration with Canon continues to focus on helping users streamline operations through integrated automation solutions, including technologies showcased at the Canon Customer Innovation Center in Boca Raton.
The Conversations That Matter Most
While the technology demonstrations and educational sessions provided valuable insights, the most meaningful aspect of thINK remains the conversations between customers, partners, and industry experts.
Whether discussing AI adoption, labor challenges, production efficiency, direct mail opportunities, or future growth strategies, attendees demonstrated the collaborative spirit that has made the thINK community so successful.
The willingness to share ideas, experiences, and best practices is what continues to make thINK one of the most valuable gatherings in the production print industry.
Thank You to the thINK Community
We would like to thank everyone who attended our thINK Theater session, visited with us during the conference, or connected with our team throughout the week.
At Tecnau | Sitma, we remain focused on helping customers transform production investments into measurable business results. Whether through automation, workflow optimization, finishing, mail processing, packaging, or fulfillment solutions, our mission remains the same:
Empowering customers to move From Print to Profit.
We look forward to continuing the conversations that began at thINK Ahead 2026 and helping our customers navigate the next chapter of growth.