Product category:
General Print Supplies, Services for Printers
News Release from: Stork Prints
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 November 2006
Stork Print Acquires Flexo Sleeve Firm
The Stork Prints Group has acquired AKL Flexo Technik of Warburg (Germany), a producer and developer of in-the-round flexo sleeves.
The Stork Prints Group has acquired AKL Flexo Technik of Warburg (Germany), a producer and developer of in-the-round flexo sleeves Edward Scheppink has been appointed the new managing director
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 30 Mar 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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He has joined from Stork Prints where he was commercial manager for sleeve products at the company's Boxmeer headquarters and he will also assume all commercial responsibilities, including sales and marketing activities.
Ronald van de Meer, with over 16 years' experience at AKL and one of the company's co-founders, has been appointed technical manager.
Scheppink commented: "This is a strategic fit which will have benefits not just for the organisations concerned, but also for the flexo industry too.
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AKL brings a wealth of technical expertise to the Stork Prints Group and a complementary product portfolio that will enable us to develop the complete open-platform package for all in-the-round engraving needs.
Furthermore, we share the same commitment to optimising flexography through constant innovation." At the same time, he said that Stork Prints gives AKL access to Stork's research and development and financial resources, as well as a global distribution network, which will help the company grow and further improve its service levels by improving lead times and being closer to the customer.
He continued: "We believe that in-the-round flexo sleeve imaging has enormous potential - especially because of the growth in the flexible packaging market and the need for seamless-endless printing systems in combination with laser technology for both LAM (Laser Ablation Mask) and DLE (Direct Laser Engraving).
AKL Flexo Technik's expertise in this area will be instrumental in helping us find ways to reduce further the cost of ownership of flexography.
A crucial step in achieving this is the development of fully compatible seamless-endless printing formes, which offer fast easy transfer from pre-press to printing stage, and ease of set-up." According to the company,with the financial backing of Stork Prints, Ronald van de Meer will be looking to make strategic investments in production efficiency at the Warburg plant, as well as boosting the research and development programme for the AKL product range.
In addition, Scheppink explained: "We want to stress that our acquisition of AKL will be as smooth as possible and will strengthen the day-to-day business. Request free introductory details about products from Stork Prints ...
We will analyse the performance levels on a regional basis and we will offer extra support to AKL's existing distribution channels, wherever appropriate.".
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