Kodak has signed two major printers in its new role as direct plate supplier since splitting from its exclusive relationship with Heidelberg – scoring a three-year plate deals with Blue Star and Whirlwind.
Kodak will continue to supply Blue Star with its Trillian SP Thermal Plates and Electra XD Thermal Plates, while under the new agreement with Whirlwind, Kodak will continue to supply it also with Trillian SP Thermal Plates.
[Related: More Blue Star news]
Kodak has been supplying Blue Star for more than 15 years. Blue Star business services group general manager Mike Shannon says Kodak’s performance, service and support helped seal the deal.
He says: “The strong performance of Kodak plates and its solutions approach has been an important factor in our decision. Our mission is to delight our customers and with Kodak as a strong plate and technology solutions partner we look forward to continuing this relationship.
“In extending our relationship with Kodak, their ability to deliver consistent quality for our customers with ongoing service support and a total solutions approach were important.”
[Related: Kodak goes direct on plate deals]
The deal comes as Blue Star prepares to merge with top-two Australian print group IPMG, though it is unclear if the Kodak deal will be rolled out across the two groups combined.
Andrew Cester, Whirlwind Print managing director, says: “We needed a supplier who could offer solutions and products that help us drive our business forward, and Kodak is the perfect partner.
“Whirlwind prides itself on the quality and efficiencies of our print process and the Kodak plate combined with the benefits of 300lpi screening, or Kodak’s staccato screening, is a winning combination in our minds.
“The strong performance of Kodak plates, after sales service and their solutions approach has been an important factor in our decision.
Kodak has had a strong relationship with Whirlwind Print over the years with workflow, CTP and plates in use at the high tech Knoxfield site. Whirlwind has just installed a new B1 Komori Lithrone.
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