Hybrid Software has won its largest order since its formation. This has been placed by Shanxi Yuncheng Plate Making Group, a manufacturer of gravure cylinders, employing around 10,000 people at 75 productions sites, many of which are in China. “It’s difficult to overstate the significance of this order, which will result in sixty-five Yuncheng sites worldwide being equipped with Packz and Cloudflow solutions,” says Chairman, Guido Van der Schueren. “China is not only a hugely important market, it is set to provide the major growth in the global graphic arts sector for the foreseeable future. To win this order from such a key player is a real endorsement of Hybrid Software and its products and confirms our position as a pioneering software supplier to the packaging arena.”
Mr Van der Schueren continues, “Shanxi Yuncheng chose Hybrid Software for the same reasons as an independent packaging printer buying a single copy of Packz. Top of this list is that we listen to our customers, whatever their size and wherever they are. Next, we are willing to act upon their input. This philosophy is part of our DNA and is what drives our teams of experts to be so creative in the areas of technology that customers need the most.”
Shanxi Yuncheng was founded in 1984 as a specialist in the production of gravure cylinders, dies and flexo plates. In 2000, the company began an expansion programme that has taken it into 40 countries, with production sites opened in the Americas, Europe, Africa and South East Asia. This has been accompanied by investment that has allowed it to be involved in print-related technologies based on plastic, magnesium, aluminium and other materials.
“Over the last eighteen months I’ve personally met Shanxi Yuncheng’s president and owner, Mr Liu, several times to ensure that we understand in minute detail what his company needs in order to achieve the improvements they want,” says Mr Van der Schueren. “About a year ago we installed a ‘concept software solution’ at one of the company’s sites in China and we followed this with a call every week to check progress, answer queries and listen to feedback. This was quite an investment from both sides and it reflects our commitment to providing the right solution. We must also give credit to the enormous help provided throughout this project by our local agent, Wirth Technologies (China) Co. Ltd.”