Flint Group

DuPont Packaging Graphics’ portfolio of products includes Cyrel brand photopolymer plates (analog and digital), Cyrel platemaking equipment, Cyrel round sleeves, Cyrel plate mounting systems, and the Cyrel FAST thermal platemaking system. Analog plates include the durable Cyrel EXL low durometer capped plate; Cyrel HIQS for very fine screen and line work; and the Cyrel NOW flexible plate for fine halftone, line, screen, and sold printing. The company describes its DuPont Cyrel round Classic and Cyrel round Thin as “a complete digital sleeve production solution” consisting of a family of ready-to-image printing sleeves supported by complementary equipment for UV exposure, processing, drying, and finishing. From

When it comes to flexo plates, there’s just one evolving story to tell. It concerns the growth in computer-to-plate (CTP) technology, including its slow-growing acceptance among flexo trade shops, many of which remain skeptical that digital imaging technology has all that much to offer them—yet. Historically, the biggest disadvantage of flexo plates, especially when compared with the litho variety, has been quality, and this perceived disadvantage is largely responsible for the rapid development in CTP flexo. In fact, these developments have resulted in a quality advantage for image reproduction with digital dots vs. film-plate dots. There are dissenters, however. The future may

Ann Arbor, Mich.— Flint Group has been selected as the new name for the holding company created by the merger in late 2005 of European-based XSYS Print Solutions and American-owned Flint Ink Corporation. "Flint Group is a strong new leader in all sectors of the worldwide printing, packaging, and colorants industries. It brings together long traditions of superior products, expert service and a commitment to meeting customer needs in all of the major markets of the world," said Dave Frescoln, CEO of the new company. Speaking of the new name, Frescoln said that the selection was based on the need for a structure and

APPLETON, Wis.—In its commitment to providing exemplary graphic arts/printing education and training for the flexographic printing industry, Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI, recently updated its narrow web pressroom technology by replacing its 7-inch Comco Cadet with a new six-color, 7-inch Mark Andy 2200.  The upgrade was made possible because of the partnership the college has with Mark Andy. "This new press is a tremendous addition to our already world-class facility," said Gary Kilgas, dean of FVTC's Graphic Arts Division.  "The press allows our students to gain the skills necessary to be successful in the industry today and into the future." According to

RESTON, Va.—NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies elected a new chairman of its board as well as a new director at its Annual Conference October 9 in Key Biscayne, Florida. The new chairman is Thomas Saggiomo, President of Agfa Corporation's Graphic Systems business in North America. He was elected to the NPES board in 1998, and is the 26th chief executive officer elected to the chairman's post in the Association's 72-year history.  Saggiomo was elected to a one-year term expiring at the 2006 NPES Annual Conference. He succeeds Kathryn P. Marx, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—The acquisition of U.S.-based Flint Ink Corporation by German-based XSYS Print Solutions was completed on 30 September 2005. The transaction closed following the August approval of the acquisition and subsequent merger by regulatory authorities in Europe and the U.S. The merger will lead to creation of a stronger, global supplier to the graphics and packaging industries with revenues of about $2.6 billion/€ 2.1 billion (based on 2004 results). The new entity will have approximately 8,000 employees in 160 sites in 35 countries, and will rank as the number one or number two supplier in every major region it serves. XSYS Print Solutions

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—American-owned Flint Ink Corporation of Ann Arbor, MI, and XSYS Print Solutions, based in Stuttgart, Germany, have agreed to merge. The merged group will rank among the largest ink companies in every region it serves, with an employee base of 8,000 and combined revenues of approximately US $ 2.6 billion, based on 2004 figures. Flint Ink is the largest privately-owned ink manufacturer in the world. XSYS Print Solutions was formed by the merger of BASF Printing Systems and ANI Printing Inks following their respective acquisitions at the end of 2004 by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners, a leading independent private equity

Regis J. Delmontagne will retire at the end of 2005 as President of NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, the Graphic Arts Show Company and the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation, NPES and GASC Chair Kathryn P. Marx has announced. Delmontagne was the Association's first full-time professional executive.  At the time he joined the Association, then known as the National Printing Equipment Association in December 1976, membership comprised 37 companies; today there are more than 400. He has been President of GASC since the show management company was created in 1982 and of GAERF since the Foundation was

A growing number of inventive smart packaging and printing materials is helping brand owners reach out to consumers' five senses and lifestyles. FOOD PACKAGING HAS to do more than attract the eyes of shoppers nowadays. It has to relay information that will appeal to consumers with different lifestyles and diets, as well as provide an experience that enhances the overall perception of the product's quality. Brand owners have forced packaging and printing materials manufacturers to find new ways to do this in recent years. Health-conscious consumers have driven food makers to replace traditional packaging with breathable films and aseptic materials in order to eliminate

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Progressive Color Media LLC, a Flint Ink company providing a full range of workflow color management solutions integrating hardware, software and services, has named Broadford & Maloney Inc. (BMI), a leading organization serving the graphic arts and related high-technology industries, as its agency of record for public relations and marketing communications. In announcing the appointment, Diane Watt, president of Progressive Color Media, observed, "Broadford & Maloney has strong knowledge of color printing, proofing and imaging technology, as well as color workflow and graphic business management. They will be an important resource in communicating our services for a wide spectrum of