Schawk Manchester receives FlexoExpert certification

Schawk Group, which is part of the Matthews International Corporation, is one of the biggest global brand deployment companies worldwide. Schawk Manchester is one of the main platemaking operations in the UK, and supports its customers with expertise in resourcing, workflow, imaging and color management.

At the recent EFIA Annual Print Awards, Schawk Manchester was named ‘Repro Company of the Year’.

FlexoExpert is a three-step certification program to provide plate makers with much more support for their daily business. During a six-month process consisting of three main steps – evaluation, implementation and training, then auditing – FlexoExpert provides the means by which plate makers can further optimize their workflow to make more reliable and consistent plates, time and time again, according to Flint Group.

With its platemaking expertise and focus on service, Flint Group first introduced the program in April 2016, and offers it to customers around the globe who are interested in broadening their knowledge on the standardization of the flexo platemaking process.

With the guidance of the Flint Group team, Schawk Manchester implemented the program and passed the final audit to earn the honor of the FlexoExpert. In doing so, it became the fourth site within Schawk to receive the certification, alongside Schawk Nürnberg, Jülich and Connect.

Martyn Purdy, printing plate production manager (Manchester, Alzira, Lodz) at Schawk, said: ‘Following the initial audit of our production processes Schawk worked closely with the Flint Group technical team.

‘FlexoExpert analysis highlighted certain areas of focus to maximize process consistency. Not only did our approach to the physical plate making process improve but also the parameters of control were raised which effectively resulted in an enhanced final product.’