Jet Europe signs Xeikon ThermoflexX distribution deal

Jet Europe is to distribute Xeikon’s new ThermoflexX imagers in Europe after signing a deal to become a partner of the digital printing specialist.
 
ThermoflexX products are designed for flexo and letterpress plate imaging. Comprising leading-edge hardware and workflow software, Xeikon said the ThermoflexX product line of imagers is based on mature technology and proven digital workflow solutions. It enables customers to consistently produce high-quality digital flexographic and letterpress plates at resolutions of up to 5,080dpi. With this resolution, the product is technology-ready to raise the quality level of output to the newest industry standards.
 
The ThermoflexX solution comes with an advanced clamping design that allows plates to be mounted directly on to the drum, while uniquely designed vacuum sliders offer the flexibility to use plates of any width. This means there is no need to cut the plates to fit a dedicated vacuum zone thus allowing the use of cut-off scraps. The ThermoflexX solution also features ergonomic plate mounting and its hybrid drum offers flexibility of holding plates in place either by vacuum or by magnetics, Xeikon said.
 
Xeikon acquired the Thermoflex trademark from Eastman Kodak in January this year. It will unveil the ThermoFlexX family of products at Drupa.

Jet Europe is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of photopolymer printing plates for flexo, letterpress and dry offset. Apart from imagers for flexo computer-to-plate (CtP) and a broad range of high-quality plate processing machinery for washout and finishing, the Jet Europe portfolio also includes various types of double adhesive mounting tapes and consumables.
 
Jet Europe managing director Harry Heesen signed the deal at Xeikon’s manufacturing plant in Lier, Belgium. Heesen said: ‘With the ThermoflexX units, we expand our already wide range of solutions as a trusted provider of high-quality flexo and letterpress plate production systems.
 
‘We met the Xeikon team and were immediately convinced of their strive for high-quality, their customer focused approach and their reliability as a business partner. The label and packaging industry sees Xeikon as a trustworthy player, and that was a very important reason to enter into this Europe wide partnership.’
 
Xeikon chief executive officer Wim Maes said: ‘Xeikon is proud and honored to team up with a leading industry partner such as Jet Europe. We found in them a trusted pan-European distribution partner with years of experience in providing complete solutions for flexo and letterpress plate production. Very important for us is also that Jet is a company with a professional drive and a focus on meeting customer requirements. Just like Xeikon.’
 
Jet Europe will become one of the Xeikon sales and distribution partners, while Xeikon’s worldwide service network will provide local installation, training and service for the full range of ThermoflexX products.
 
Jeroen Van Bauwel, director of product management at Xeikon, said: ‘With ThermoflexX, Xeikon expands its CtP experience into the flexographic and letterpress markets, further reinforcing its commitment to the label and packaging markets. Xeikon is the only player on the market who is able to offer its customers solutions for both flexo platemaking and digital label and packaging printing.
 
‘Digital printing provides the perfect answer for short and medium runs and quick turnaround times, while the long runs will continue to rely on conventional printing.’

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