Printed Pack Digital Plate Making Move Pays Off

Brownett in Castle Donington (UK) has installed Esko's CDI (Cyrel Digital Imager) Spark 4835 with multibeam Optics 40.

Brownett in Castle Donington (UK) has installed Esko's CDI (Cyrel Digital Imager) Spark 4835 with multibeam Optics 40.

The move comes after two and-a-half years steady trading, following a management buy-out in 2003.

The trade flexo platemaking house services the self-adhesive label and packaging market and has invested in Esko's CDI digital technology to expand its services, increase productivity and keep pace with demand for a fast turn-around of flexo plates.

Managing director Mark Brownett said that saw the investment as a key part of a long-term plan for Brownett.

He said: "The purchase of the CDI 4835 is a natural progression in to digital flexographic plate making and one that we have been considering for some time.

Since the MBO in September 2003 business has been very good and today it is looking exceptionally bright.

Despite tough trading conditions we have a strong and stable customer base and a healthy turnover." Brownett added: "We believe the timing is perfect for this investment to ensure we stay at the forefront of technology.

We have followed Esko closely and watched its CDI range consistently improve pushing flexo print quality and printing stability to the highest levels.

The CDI machines are a good quality build and very user friendly with ergonomic advantages for the operator." The CDI 4835 fits in with the workflow at Brownett as Optics 40 is designed to offer speed of production and the company depends on fast turn-around.

It is hoping to attract new business as well as improve its service for its existing customer base with the CDI 4835, imaging plates in 16 minutes at 2,540 pixels per inch (ppi).

The company said that it accepts any type of artwork and offers a full repro service, including a design facility in-house where customers are invited to discuss concepts and creative ideas.

Brownett handles all types of label and packaging requirements from design, high resolution scanning through to colour separation and step and repeat.

Brownett also offers a full finger printing service and press evaluation, which helps to obtain the technical data for dot-gain and colour management information required to produce accurate colour correct proofs and plate originations.

All film output utilises the digital workflow and RIP technology available that drive large format imagesetters and imaging devices.

Mark Brownett commented: "We are confident that our investment in the Esko CDI 4835 will drive us forward.

These are exciting times.

This is a large investment but we believe we will attract new business as well as please our existing customers.

We are aware that some companies will only order plates when they know they are imaged on a CDI.

We have chosen the Esko machine as we believe it is the best on the market." And he added: "Everything at Brownett's is a balance.

Our workforce is our greatest asset.

We like to communicate personally with our customers and all of our staff are aware of each customer's job and requirements.

All 19 staff came with us after the MBO.

They understand our company goals and ambitions.

They are highly experienced and we all work as a team.

The staff are delighted with this latest investment in the Esko CDI as we can see it will open new doors to the benefit of us all." Brownett was founded in 1975 trading as Brownett Engraving and was started up by Mark Brownett's father and mother - Vic and Margaret Brownett.

In 1980 the company became part of Gerhardt.

Mark Brownett joined straight from college and learnt all aspects of plate making and digital artwork and origination.

In 2003 he approached Gerhardt with the idea of an MBO of the platemaking department and today Mark and his wife Vicky - joint shareholders - are proud to have the Brownett name back.

Back to top