Specialist plate manufacturer, Flexo Trade Print, has invested in a new CDI Spark flexo plate imager to increase production capacity and meet growing demand at its central UK facility. Based in Willenhall, West Midlands, Flexo Trade Print originates and manufactures press-ready flexo plates of all thicknesses for all applications across the packaging printing trade.
“We are the only producer of these plates in the local area and we pride ourselves on offering a fast, friendly and reliable service,” said Dyfrig Harris, Director, Flexo Trade Print. “Given the demands of the market, particularly in recent months, we were increasingly coming up against the challenge of capacity. It meant that at times the staff and factory were stretched to meet our customers’ requirements. With many customers requiring plates within just 24 hours of proof approval, fulfilling delivery requirements was proving challenging at times. We were looking to increase capacity and researched the market thoroughly before choosing the Esko CDI Spark equipment, which replaced an older Esko model that has served us well for many years.”
Harris said the new Esko CDI Spark 4260 – part of the Esko family of CDI computer-to-plate imagers for flexographic plates that are setting new standards for plate production – was in operation within days of installation, without the need for lengthy staff training or complex technical instruction.
“We already had experience of operating the equipment and being another Esko technology meant it was also compatible with our software and other systems,” said Harris. “The new Esko CDI complements another recent investment in a large format plate processor. As well as improving plate quality, this new equipment increases our capacity substantially and enables us to turn jobs around quicker through improved workflow.”
