ECRM widens its CTP range with Esko purchase

Under the deal, ECRM will acquire the assets of Esko's polyester plate equipment business, including the manufacture and sale of DPX 4, DPX System, DPX Lite, WorkMates and all associated products.

Bernie Robinson, general manager of Currie, the distributor of ECRM products in Australia, says he views the development as a very positive one.

“We already act as the agency for Esko for its DPX, DPX 4 and DPX Lite range of polyester CTP units for the A2 and A3 markets,” says Robinson.

“We have also forged a tight relationship with ECRM in our distribution dealings, and are in regular communication with owner Rick Black. With both now basically under the control of the same owner we can expect to achieve a tighter strategy between the two company's products,” he says.

Robinson also says he expects the sale to lead to the development of new products and technology. Up until now ECRM has used capstan technology for its CTP imaging while Esko has used drum technology, with the acquisition opening up the possibility for these two techniques to cross over.

Rick Black, CEO and owner of ECRM, says the purchase will allow his company to better serve its customers with a wider portfolio of products to complement the existing range of violet CTP offerings

“We are impressed with the sales and service organization in place and we plan to continue working with the current Esko Production channel partners under the ECRM brand,” he says. “We believe this acquisition is another step forward in establishing our leadership role in the industry.”

Torben Rysgaard, Esko Production, insists the purchase will secure a strong future for the polyester technology the company developed over the past decade.

“The fit between the ECRM CTP business and the Polyester CTP business from Esko Production is excellent, and we look forward to serving our current customer base of many thousands of users even better.”