The US-based manufacturer has set itself the ambitious target of mounting a serious challenge to the dominant plate manufacturing triumvirate of Agfa, Fuji and Kodak, according to chief executive Jeff Jacobsen.

Speaking at the recent Print 09 Media Days event, Jacobsen said: “Three players control more than 90 per cent of the worldwide digital plate market and customers want more choice – they want a fourth player.

“We currently do less than 0.5 per cent and that means we have a great opportunity to grow our market share. We have already worked on selectively expanding our dealer networks to include 100 worldwide and we will continue to grow that.”

Jacobsen added that the company historically had too narrow a focus, with sales efforts concentrated on the US, Canada, UK and Japan, and with an emphasis on small print operations.

In order to fulfil its ambitious growth plans, Jacobsen envisions the company expanding up-market as well as geographically.

Presstek will exhibit its complete portfolio of CtP systems at Print 09, including its Aurora Pro chemistry-free thermal plate, which Jacobsen described as the only “true chemistry-free plate” on the market. Fujifilm recently challenged the notion of labelling plates “chemistry-free”, opting for the label of “low-chemistry” for its soon-to-be-released Brillia HD Pro-V and Brillia Pro-VN plates.

Presstek will also use Print 09 to demonstrate its Compass and Dimension series platesetters, Anthem Pro plates, the Vector FL52 platesetter with Freedom Pro plates, and the Digital PlateMaster 34 SC/HSC polyester platesetter.

Print 09 is due to be held from 11-16 September at McCormick place in Chicago,

Read the original article at www.printweek.com.

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