Successful search for partners
Collaboration: To offer its customers a more comprehensive service, Print Assist enters into partnerships.
Cooperation In order to offer its customers a more comprehensive service, Print Assist is entering into cooperation agreements Just a few days after the boards of Eastman Kodak (Kodak) and Creo approved the takeover of Creo by Kodak, an announcement from Höri ZH caused a stir: Print Assist, a subsidiary of printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer (KBA), intends to cooperate with Creo Switzerland.Creo, the parent company of Creo Switzerland, has only recently changed its strategy (see WW 5/05) and could, if the shareholders agree and the official and legal approvals are obtained, become part of Kodak by the end of March. Since the beginning of this year, Creo has independently strengthened its direct sales in Switzerland and increased its sales team.
Print Assist and Creo The partnership between Creo and Print Assist is therefore surprising due to the announced realignment - at least at first glance. On the other hand, the KBA and Creo groups have been working closely together for years and are both partners in the NGP (Networked Graphic Production) network initiated by Creo. In Switzerland, KBA's 46 Karat and 74 Karat direct imaging presses have long been sold by Typon, which has itself been a distributor of Creo products in Switzerland for many years.
However, not only Creo, but also Print Assist has changed in the last six months. The direct imaging machines mentioned above have been sold by Print Assist since January 1, 2005. There was a reason why these machines were previously sold by the Burgdorf-based company Typon: Printing machines with direct imaging require corresponding know-how from the prepress sector. However, Typon - Print Assist does not yet have this. By joining forces with Creo Switzerland and hiring a prepress expert, Print Assist has made up for this shortcoming and can therefore act as a comprehensive partner.
Print Assist can now sell Creo hardware, software and service products. In future, customers can be offered complete solution packages with coordinated prepress solutions and the corresponding printing system. The range now extends from prepress to workflow solutions and CtP to the printing press.
Print Assist and OFS
But that's not all. As part of an overall solution, the area of consumables (printing plates and platesetters) will also be included in close cooperation with the OFS Group (OFS) based in Pfaffnau, Lucerne. Both Print Assist and OFS expect this new cooperation to provide further impetus. Customers throughout the Swiss printing industry should even "benefit sustainably" from this step.
With the takeover of Creo by Kodak, the situation has changed again. The OFS Group, led by Daniel Müller, which distributes products and consumables from Kodak Polychrome Graphics (which is wholly owned by Eastman Kodak following the dissolution of a joint venture with Sun Chemical), and Creo's recently expanded sales team are now - if you take it correctly - in the same Kodak "boat".
A close alliance with advantagesPrint Assist is now able to offer not only the widest range of printing presses (from KBA) but also computer-to-plate systems (Creo) and the previously sold printing consumables from a single source, so to speak. However, KPG's printing plates are not part of Print Assist's product range; the two companies are now working more closely together on projects in this area.
The OFS Group, and Creo Switzerland in particular, will benefit not least from a stronger trading partner with nationwide operations.
Kodak is growing and thrivingEastman Kodak has developed into a giant in the graphic arts industry in recent years. The companies Encad (LFP and large format printing), Scitex Versamark (industrial inkjet printing) and Nexpress (black-and-white and color digital printing systems) have been integrated into the newly founded Graphic Communication business unit. The company is focusing on independent business units under the Kodak umbrella brand.
With Kodak Polychrome Graphics (previously a joint venture with Sun Chemical) and Creo (acquisition not yet completed), a leading company in the areas of consumables (primarily CtP plates), prepress technology and workflow solutions is being created. (jf)
Print Assist can now also offer Creo products and solutions.
Jürgen Franck
Print Assist and Creo The partnership between Creo and Print Assist is therefore surprising due to the announced realignment - at least at first glance. On the other hand, the KBA and Creo groups have been working closely together for years and are both partners in the NGP (Networked Graphic Production) network initiated by Creo. In Switzerland, KBA's 46 Karat and 74 Karat direct imaging presses have long been sold by Typon, which has itself been a distributor of Creo products in Switzerland for many years.
However, not only Creo, but also Print Assist has changed in the last six months. The direct imaging machines mentioned above have been sold by Print Assist since January 1, 2005. There was a reason why these machines were previously sold by the Burgdorf-based company Typon: Printing machines with direct imaging require corresponding know-how from the prepress sector. However, Typon - Print Assist does not yet have this. By joining forces with Creo Switzerland and hiring a prepress expert, Print Assist has made up for this shortcoming and can therefore act as a comprehensive partner.
Print Assist can now sell Creo hardware, software and service products. In future, customers can be offered complete solution packages with coordinated prepress solutions and the corresponding printing system. The range now extends from prepress to workflow solutions and CtP to the printing press.
Print Assist and OFS
But that's not all. As part of an overall solution, the area of consumables (printing plates and platesetters) will also be included in close cooperation with the OFS Group (OFS) based in Pfaffnau, Lucerne. Both Print Assist and OFS expect this new cooperation to provide further impetus. Customers throughout the Swiss printing industry should even "benefit sustainably" from this step.
With the takeover of Creo by Kodak, the situation has changed again. The OFS Group, led by Daniel Müller, which distributes products and consumables from Kodak Polychrome Graphics (which is wholly owned by Eastman Kodak following the dissolution of a joint venture with Sun Chemical), and Creo's recently expanded sales team are now - if you take it correctly - in the same Kodak "boat".
A close alliance with advantagesPrint Assist is now able to offer not only the widest range of printing presses (from KBA) but also computer-to-plate systems (Creo) and the previously sold printing consumables from a single source, so to speak. However, KPG's printing plates are not part of Print Assist's product range; the two companies are now working more closely together on projects in this area.
The OFS Group, and Creo Switzerland in particular, will benefit not least from a stronger trading partner with nationwide operations.
Kodak is growing and thrivingEastman Kodak has developed into a giant in the graphic arts industry in recent years. The companies Encad (LFP and large format printing), Scitex Versamark (industrial inkjet printing) and Nexpress (black-and-white and color digital printing systems) have been integrated into the newly founded Graphic Communication business unit. The company is focusing on independent business units under the Kodak umbrella brand.
With Kodak Polychrome Graphics (previously a joint venture with Sun Chemical) and Creo (acquisition not yet completed), a leading company in the areas of consumables (primarily CtP plates), prepress technology and workflow solutions is being created. (jf)
Print Assist can now also offer Creo products and solutions.
Jürgen Franck
