NexPress scores a hat trick with 3 installs

2011 has started with a bang for Kodak’s NexPress digital colour system and its local sales partner, Konica Minolta, with the announcement of three new installations.

The Kodak NexPress SE digital colour platform has powered into 2011 with the announcement of three new installations in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

The three presses, which will be upgraded to Kodak’s new NexPress SX platform when it is released in mid-2011, are going to leading environmental printer Finsbury Green in Adelaide, commercial printer Ability Press in Melbourne, and mailing and fulfilment house Cojo in Sydney.

The three installations are a result of the strategic partnership between Kodak Australia and Konica Minolta, first announced at Pacprint in 2009, which sees Konica Minolta distributing the NexPress system alongside its own range of bizhub digital colour presses.

“These results are a good indication that the partnership between Konica Minolta and Kodak has been very successful,” said David Procter, national marketing manager at Konica Minolta Australia. “This is a result of the benefits from the joint technologies working together and providing a strong distribution network to further increase market presence and provide customers with more opportunities.”

Kodak Australia and New Zealand managing director, Adrian Fleming, agreed: “The partnership between Kodak and Konica Minolta has been a fantastic fit. The extended sales and support network provided through this relationship has ensured a formula for success as highlighted by these strong sales results.”

Finsbury more green with NexPress
Finsbury Green, which has plants in Melbourne and Adelaide, is well-known throughout the industry as a leading proponent of ‘green’ printing initiatives and environmentally sustainable production. It is also a multi-award winner in numerous state and national print competitions. Not surprisingly, Mark Orel, (pictured) executive director, said the environmental credentials of the Kodak system was an important factor in favour of the NexPress SE3000 press.

“From my perspective one of the key factors in our decision to purchase is that the NexPress is able to be fully-upgradeable within the existing shell of the press when required in the future. The engineering philosophy is one of smart sustainability and should be taken up by more machinery manufacturers in general.”

This is the first time that Finsbury Green has entered the digital colour production market. The new press will be based in Adelaide, making it the first NexPress in that city. Mark Orel said that in addition to the sustainable design of the press that stood it apart from other digital machines, the NexPress was the right fit for the type of work that Finsbury produces.

“It was a good all-round package for us, quality-wise. The NexPress also enables us to differentiate ourselves with regard to the dimensional printing. We wanted to stay high-end and, from our perspective, it really seemed to fit our business model.”

Orel added that the new press will also enable the company to explore new markets – such as possibly variable data print – as well as migrate A3-size work from its offset presses.

Ability to do digital
Ability Press in Melbourne is a commercial printshop that was acquired by Miracle Bookbinding, a finishing and bindery supplier, in 2005. As the result of rapid growth, the two companies moved into shared premises in the suburb of Keysborough last year. Michael Wu, managing director, said the decision to enter the digital print arena was prompted in part by an increased demand from clients for a digital solution and, in particular, for variable data products such as personalised direct marketing.

According to Wu, the selection criteria to enter the digital market was based on choosing a digital press that exceeded current market quality offerings and demonstrated a distinct point of difference. The NexPress met all outlined criteria and offered other distinct advantages including an enlarged format catering for 6pp A4 products, overall or spot gloss finish, and unique post print embellishments.

“In essence the NexPress delivers our key principles of quality and service whilst offering additional capabilities, ensuring we cater to our clients’ business objectives and exceed their expectations,” said Wu. “We were very impressed with the presentation and professional care given by the representatives of Kodak and Konica Minolta. At every stage of negotiations, all requests were resolved promptly, with all parties concerned enjoying the shared involvement and collective input to attain our mutual goals.”

The third installation will go to Cojo in Sydney, a mailing and fulfilment house that offers a complete range of mailing services including data management, document management/programming, printing and finishing.