OMET Opens American Subsidiary
OMET SRL, Italian manufacturer of narrow- and mid-web printing presses and converting equipment announced the opening of its new branch in America, OMET America Inc.
The new company will focus on providing high-level service and parts for the company’s existing and future installations in North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America. North American sales will still be handled Matik Inc. out of West Hartford, Conn.
Angelo Bartesaghi, founder and president of the Italian company, states: “We are extremely pleased to achieve this new milestone in company history. This move will reinforce our global presence, after establishing our facilities in Europe and Asia. The last years have been very successful for OMET, and we consider now to be the best timing for this important step, which we believe will demonstrate our commitment to the market.”
OMET America will operate from a Grand Rapids Michigan headquarters. The new facility is located just a few minutes away from Lansing International Airport, in a 5,600 sq. ft. building. The address of the headquarters is 4245 44th Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49152. Beside space for office and spare parts inventory, there will be sufficient space for future expansion, according to OMET’s plans.
“We wanted our customer to be able to maximize the high technology of our presses. Servo technology provides extreme productivity, but we wanted to also provide the flexibility to troubleshoot,” comments Jean-Pierre Penhoat, VP of OMET America.
Penhoat has extensive experience in servicing printing equipment, since he has spent more than 20 years within graphic arts industry. He has knowledge into different markets, including labels, packaging films, and cartons. Beside his technical background, he can provide useful support on procedures and production organization, thanks to his previous experience in production management positions.
Penhoat is also fluent in French and has good knowledge with Spanish, which will be appreciated by some Canadian customers, as well as ones from Latin America.
Advantages for American, Carribean, and South American customers will include:
• Local parts inventory, providing the shortest lead time
• Technical engineers available for immediate service response
• Provide on-site support for new press installations
• Programs for periodic maintenance visits and training programs, available on demand
• Online press service through Internet connection.
This last feature is important because it will extend service time to the entire working day (the same service is available also during night time from Europe). Using this technology, problems can be detected and solved in the shortest time; also, upgrades on software programs can be easily downloaded into press.
Staff will include service technicians for mechanical, electric, and electronics, as well as back office for the parts order’s handling. In order to provide this high level of service, U.S. service personnel will be specifically trained on site concerning OMET systems by skilled European technicians.
“I've very glad and excited about this new organization. We were requested by our North American customers since our first press was sold in North America to offer this higher level of service, and I guess the company response has been really the best one.” comments Alberto Redaelli, OMET VP of sales and responsible for North American sales activities. “I believe that Lansing location is strategically placed within North America, and we will be able to offer a high standard of service and an even closer contact with our industry partners.”
OMET has a large number of installations in the Americas, including the high tech servo driven Gearless Varyflex and X-flex packaging presses, for a number of different applications, ranging from pressure-sensitive labels, to unsupported films and cartons.
To find out more about the OMET lines of presses for labels, packaging, and film, contact Chris Leyes at 860-232-2323 or visit www.matik.com.