Esko has opened a new facility in Germany to consolidate its flexo platemaking systems operations under one roof. The new 4300-square-metre facility in Itzehoe will encompass research, engineering, product development, testing, and production.
Billed as a centre for innovation, the factory includes a customer experience centre, as well as production and assembly facilities for products such as the CDI Crystal and CDI Spark flexo plate imaging devices and the XPS Crystal flexo plate exposure system.
According to Holger Jacobsen, plant manager, the factory was designed from the ground up to meet the needs of Esko's digital flexo business. “We have been pleased with the entire process, from the laying of the first stone through to the move and start-up of production in this brand-new facility,” he said. “Everyone – from the architect and builder to all of our suppliers and staff – worked together to achieve a challenging schedule. It’s a modern environment, a great workplace for our staff, and a welcoming setting where we will host many visitors in the future.”
Udo Panenka, president of Esko, said the new plant is evidence of Esko's investment in digital flexo. "We are well positioned to tap into the significant opportunities to simplify and automate the entire flexo platemaking process, from design to the finished plate ready to be mounted on the press, and we are pursuing those on behalf of our customers and the industry at large.
"We are pleased with this important milestone, and we are looking forward to a bright and innovative flexo future," he said.