Creation Repro installs EskoArtwork CDI Spark 4835

EskoArtwork has installed a CDI Spark 4835 digital flexo platemaker at Creation Repro. The investment is underpinned by a full EskoArtwork workflow solution gradually purchased over the last twelve months, including BackStage, DeskPack and PackEdge as well as FlexProof and FlexRip. Creation Repro, located in Daventry, UK, is a privately owned company specializing in the supply of pre-press origination for the packaging sector in Europe. From artwork design to plate production, the company provides digital files and printing plates to leading brand owners, retailers and printers within the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) market.

‘Full automation is our goal,’ said Matt Francklow, managing director and owner of Creation Repro. ‘It is fundamental if we want to meet customer demand and increase productivity. The challenge we face is the competition from larger and more aggressive repro companies who are targeting the major brands and leading retailers. The installation of the CDI Spark 4835 is therefore a key building block in our strategy for the future. The machine’s high speed and reliability gives us a leading edge and the quality of the plates and sleeves cannot be faulted.’

Since moving to its present facilities in Daventry in November 2006, Creation Repro has seen the increased demand in the packaging sector for high quality plates and was keen to reap the benefits of digitization such as creative color control and fast delivery. The company decided to invest in the latest technologies to meet customer demand. Creation is also actively developing strategies for diversification into niche markets to gain a competitive edge over its rivals.

The company’s employees all have sound experience in the printing and packaging industry. Specializing in flexographic printing has enabled Creation Repro to easily diversify into other packaging segments such as wide web and flexo labels. The company made a strategic decision to adopt EskoArtwork’s full workflow suite over the last twelve months. Integrated with Creation’s bespoke MIS system ‘SmartServe’, EskoArtwork’s full set of modular software tools helps the company to expand its capabilities and offerings. The next phase in Creation Repro’s investment plan will entail the installation of WebCenter, EskoArtwork’s web based project management system which allows real time pre-production customer approval and monitoring.

‘The EskoArtwork software solutions make our life easier and allow us to offer the ultimate customer service,’ said Francklow. ‘Customers supply a PDF file which we drop into BackStage where the file is checked before it is sent to the CDI for plate output. This triggers an email to the customer informing them of the status of the job.’ Not only do EskoArtwork software solutions meet industry standards, they fully integrate with any MIS system. As the repro side takes up the majority of time in the supply chain, EskoArtwork’s fully automated system has been crucial in reducing Creation Repro’s lead times dramatically.

Creation Repro is looking to expand its CDI work in the future. Apart from UK jobs, the company is sending plates to Eastern Europe where many brand owners have their manufacturing plants, thereby saving on labor costs and overheads. Francklow concluded: ‘Brand owners and retailers recognize that the best repro services come from the UK. A key factor is our skill set and expertise but the quality of plates is paramount. With the EskoArtwork products we can provide a top class repro service while the manufacturing and printing of the packaging and labels is done abroad. This way the brand owner is getting the best of both worlds. We have the experience and the skill but we couldn’t do the job at this level without EskoArtwork’s CDI Spark 4835 and its modular software solutions.’