Galaxy invests in Cron CTP in inhouse offset move

Victorian printer Galaxy Print & Design has invested in a new Cron computer-to-plate (CTP) system from Currie Group.

The Cron TP-3632 is supplying plates to a five-colour press the company bought to bring printing back in-house after a period of outsourcing.

David Hilet, managing director said, “We sold our previous press and got out of the four and five-colour in-house printing space. However, we found we were farming too much out after that, so we installed another five-colour press, and had to upgrade the platemaker to something more suitable.

“Vince Pignataro, the representative from Currie Group, was in the right spot at the right time. The Cron came with all the bells and whistles: plate feeder, stacker, punch and so on. I had dealt with Currie Group beforehand, but not for a while – we bought stitchers and other finishing equipment from them over the years,” said Hilet.

The TP-3632 has been in for a few weeks now, says Hilet, who appreciates its performance and the support from Currie Group.

“It has made our platemaking more efficient compared to our previous system. Our art and design team can make plates from their office, cutting out a lot of manual work. It is more accurate as well, with better quality.

“We get our consumables from Currie Group now as well, they’re a great supplier,” he said.

Based in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula, Galaxy Print and Design has been in operation for about 30 years. Hilet said, “We had one little press and just a couple of staff at the beginning, and since then we’ve expanded to wide-format, digital, and a bit of finishing.”

Bernie Robinson, managing director of Currie Group, says, “David is happy with it – it is up and running and performing well. He’s been a loyal and happy Horizon finishing customer as well.”

Robinson says the TP-3632 is a compact and reliable CTP unit with autoloading, in-line punching, and a water-based Agfa washout unit attached.

He said, “Currie has had a relationship with Cron for about eight years, and that relationship continues on. We have a Cron unit in each of our Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane showrooms.”