Decisive plate war victories for Kodak, as it bags some high profile contracts following its split from Heidelberg. The graphic arts supplier’s latest wins include inking two new three-year direct deals with Blue Star Group and Whirlwind, firmly backing the company’s recent decision to regain direct supply of its offset plate business.
Kodak Australia’s head, Steve Venn, sat down with Blue Star’s Geoff Selig on Friday, April 11, to shake hands and put pen to paper on the momentous deal. The agreement continues a 15 year association between the two companies, and will see Kodak supply Blue Star its Trillian SP thermal plates and Electra XD thermal plates for the next three years. Selig tells Print21 the decision ultimately came down to trust in the product and strong relationships with the Kodak team.
“We’ve enjoyed a very strong relationship with the Kodak product through Heidelberg for the last five years, so we’re very familiar with the product and confident from a quality and supply perspective. Now we look forward to partnering directly with Kodak. It makes sense in the changed world, where people are reviewing their supply chain,” says Selig.
- Shaking on it (l-r) - Blue Star's Geoff Selig and Paul Selig with Kodak's Rob Mollee and Steve Venn
Steve Venn, Kodak Australia managing director, thanked Selig and the Blue Star team for its continued trust. He welcomes the opportunity to support the business as it prepares to merge with IPMG, forming Australia’s largest printing company. Kodak is also plate supplier for IPMG divisions Offset Alpine Printing and Inprint, leaving it extremely well-place for the upcoming transition.
Venn tells Print21, “We’re delighted to be partnering as a solutions provider to the Blue Star Group. We really see it as a strategic partnership. We’re not just looking at one year, we’re looking at three years, five years, working to adapt and grow with the growth plans that Blue Star has moving forward as well.”
Venn praises Blue Star’s ongoing commitment to quality and service, making the business a leader in a competitive market.
“From our point of view, it’s not just about the plates, it’s also about what else Kodak can hopefully bring to the Blue Star Group, whether that be in relation to equipment or software or digital, it’s what we call lifestyle solution management,” says Venn.
Selig offers his support for Kodak’s recent decision to return to servicing the industry direct for its offset plate business.
“As people are working out their own technology roadmap for their own businesses, having a direct line of communication to a business like Kodak is really important. Navigating your way through the technology maze is not as simple as it seems from the outside looking in,” says Selig.
He adds that Blue Star remains predominantly a Heidelberg house across its sheet-fed operation, and continues to have a strong relationship with the German press manufacturer.
“Heidelberg is a very important supply partner to Blue Star and has been for a very long time,” he says.