manroland moves up with Xingraphics plates and Printcom consumables

Distributorship deal for Xingraphics plates and new printcom range allows manroland to expand its consumable offering.

The company has just signed an agreement with Xingraphics to distribute their thermal plates, Fit Xtra Melior and Fit eCO Primo Processless. According to Safwen Hijazi, corporate vice president of Xingraphics, manroland was the best supplier for the region.

“The reason for choosing manroland is consistent with our philosophy of selecting the right partners on a global basis,” he said. “We look for partners that can provide customers with a comprehensive solution with an outstanding technical and operational support structure so manroland was an ideal choice for our partner in Australia and New Zealand along with our existing partners in Australia, Ferag and Screen.”

Pictured: Steve Dunwell and Safwen Hijazi finalise distributorship deal.

Managing director, Steve Dunwell, said it was natural that the company would enhance its product portfolio, which also includes the Printcom pressroom consumable range. “We have entered the consumable market with our printcom products, which are tried and tested,” he said. “It made good sense to get involved in CtP because of this.”

He expects the products to be well-received. “With CtP you need to have a quality product, which I believe the Xingraphics range is,” Dunwell said.
Ben Hickey (pictured) has been brought in to look after the Printcom range as technical consumables manager with staff in both Melbourne and New Zealand who will report to him.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Hickey is well-placed to promote the products throughout Australia. “This role is the sort of thing that really gets me going,” he said. “I need to know the technical details of a product, the more technical detail the better.”

Dunwell also hinted that there may be more developments for manroland post-IPEX. “We are looking to expand into what makes sense for our customers,” he said. “Some of these things may crystallise at IPEX.”