Flexo Trade Print boosts production capacity with Esko CDI Spark

Packaging Solutions

Flexo Trade Print has invested in a new CDI Spark flexo plate imager to increase production capacity and meet growing demand at its central UK facility.

Based in Willenhall, West Midlands, the company originates and manufactures press ready flexo plates of all thicknesses for all applications across the printing trade.

‘We are the only producer of these plates in the local area, and we pride ourselves on offering a fast, friendly and reliable service,’ said Dyfrig Harris, director of Flexo Trade Print. ‘Given the demands of the market, particularly in recent months, we were increasingly coming up against the challenge of capacity. It meant that at times the staff and factory were stretched to meet our customers’ requirements.

‘With many customers requiring plates within just 24 hours of proof approval, fulfilling delivery requirements was proving challenging at times. We were looking to increase capacity and researched the market thoroughly before choosing the Esko CDI Spark equipment, which replaced an older Esko model that has served us well for many years.’

Dyfrig said the new Esko CDI Spark 4260 – part of the Esko family of CDI computer to plate imagers for flexographic plates that are setting new standards for plate production – was in operation within days of installation, without the need for lengthy staff training or complex technical instruction.

‘We already had experience of operating the equipment and being another Esko technology meant it was also compatible with our software and other systems,’ said Dyfrig. ‘The new Esko CDI complements another recent investment in a large format plate processor. As well as improving plate quality, this new equipment increases our capacity substantially and enables us to turn jobs around quicker through improved workflow.’

Established in 2002 by Dyfrig Harris and Llyr ab Islwyn, with Andy Wilcox as manager, Flexo Trade Print produces plates for the label, envelope, business forms and packaging industries as well as for many other applications.

‘Our customers choose us as their supplier because of the quality and speed of our service,’ said Dyfrig. ‘As the business continues to grow, the new Esko CDI provides us with the extra capacity to make meeting delivery requirements an easier task.’