Lscher moves into flexo with ZED acquisition

Lscher AG of Switzerland, which designs, manufactures and markets electronic pre-press equipment, has reached an agreement to acquire all the assets of UK-based ZED Instruments from The Moore Company based in Westerly RI, USA. Fulflex, a Moore company, which supplies elastomer materials for use in direct ablation production, will continue to represent the new company in North America. Commented Lscher’s proprietor, Hans Lscher, ‘As ZED Instruments develop and manufacture direct laser ablation technologies for the flexo, dry-offset and letterpress sectors, their products seamlessly complement ours in the pre-press sector.’

Lars Janneryd, member of Lscher AG’s Board of Directors, added, ‘With the direct ablation (positive) Flexo process of ZED and the mask imaging (negative) process of Lscher we close the loop and are able to offer a complete solution to all flexo printers and trade houses.’ With effect from 31st March 2004, ZED has been fully integrated in the Lscher group under the name Lscher Flexo and will operate from new premises in Thame – some 40 miles (65km) west of London – under the direction of the present managing director, Bruce Knox, supported by the existing staff.

The first product launch will be FlexPose! Direct, a sealed CO2 laser system for direct ablation which builds on the success of the ZEDMini and incorporates significant improvements. Announced earlier this year, the product was formerly known as ZEDLaserDirect. In addition, Lscher will launch at drupa its own digital   FlexPose!  imaging system based on internal drum technology, which will image the mask layer of  a new type of digital polymer plates.