New Punch Graphix production hall takes shape

Punch Graphix, supplier of CtP systems for UV-sensitive offset printing plates, is expanding its production floor space by 60 per cent to 6,880 meters squared. 

‘The extension was urgently necessary to be able to answer the growing demand for CtP systems,’ explained managing director Dr Horst Steppat. The construction plans provide for an additional area of 2,580 meters squared for production and logistics, for which the company is investing some € 1.6 million in building and technical equipment. Support has also been received from the regional government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

As speaker at the topping-out ceremony, economics minister Dr Otto Ebnet praised the rapid progress of the work. He emphasized that Punch Graphix was meeting its social duty to provide opportunities for vocational training in exemplary fashion. The awards received by trainees each year represented clear proof of the quality of training provided. During a tour of the company, Dr Ebnet was particularly interested to hear more about the special features of the CtP systems and the differences to competitor products. The precision of the systems, he learned, is expressed in the extremely high image repetition and positioning accuracy of /- 2 m.

Ben Van Assche, CEO of Punch Graphix, described the topping-out for the new building as the latest milestone in the positive development of the company. The extension, he said, delivered a guarantee for further growth. The additional floor space is scheduled for official inauguration in December 2006.