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EskoArtwork's partnership with Kemtek Imaging Systems blossoms in South Africa
Gent (Belgium), November 2008 – EskoArtwork announces a series of high profile sales wins in South Africa through its regional partner, Kemtek Imaging Systems. A deepening commercial and technical relationship between the two companies has already resulted in deals with leading South African companies in the industry such as Golden Era, Marmel Labels and LightWorks.
Kemtek Imaging Systems has supported EskoArtwork’s complete product range in South Africa – and the surrounding countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and Mauritius – since 1 July 2007. “EskoArtwork and Kemtek Imaging Systems are 100% committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations in terms of technical support, and this has been the critical factor in our recent successes,” says Walter Dhooge, EskoArtwork’s Sales Manager for Turkey, Middle East and Africa. “Right from the start, we were confident that we had found the right local partner in Kemtek Imaging Systems, and recent dealings have reinforced this feeling,” he adds.
These sales have been made against the background of a challenging business environment. “The strength of the Euro against the Rand has created a tough business environment but the quality and reputation of EskoArtwork’s products, together with the added dimension of strong local service, are an unbeatable combination,” comments Gavin van Rensburg, CEO of Kemtek Imaging Systems
News deals with leading South African companies
The sales wins span the complete range of EskoArtwork’s product solutions:
Kemtek Imaging Systems is currently working on a project with one of South Africa’s leading packaging companies, the Johannesburg-based Golden Era Group, following the sale of an EskoArtwork CDI Spark 4835 digital flexoplate imaging device. Golden Era specializes in lithographic and flexographic printing, manufacturing folding cartons used to package everything from cereals to soap.
Kemtek Imaging Systems recently completed a project with Marmel Labels to install a comprehensive solution based on a CDI Spark 4835, a full suite of software and user training. Marmel Labels, a Johannesburg-based manufacturer of superior quality adhesive labels, already had a CDI Spark 2530 flexo plate imager installed
LightWorks Imaging, a visual display specialist based in Edenvale, Gauteng province, has installed a Kongsberg i-XL automated digital finishing system for signs and displays.
Training program demonstrates depth of commitment
“We appreciate the support Kemtek have provided in these three deals, which demonstrate the breadth of EskoArtwork’s product offerings,” comments Walter Dhooge. Gordon Smith, National Manager, Flexographic Division at Kemtek Imaging Systems, adds, “EskoArtwork is a highly respected brand leader in imaging and workflow solutions. It already had an excellent presence and reputation in southern Africa but was looking for a locally based distributor that could deliver high standards of after-sales service. The pace of today’s commercial environment has made customers much more demanding in this respect, so there was a pent-up demand for service and application support.”
Kemtek Imaging Systems now has eight employees who are dedicated to EskoArtwork projects. The technical staff have recently traveled to Belgium to attend in-depth training on EskoArtwork hardware and software solutions. “Knowledge transfer is the key to this relationship,” states Walter Dhooge. “Customer service is extremely important to EskoArtwork, so we are committed to ensuring that Kemtek has all the expertise and skills required to support and sell our complete product portfolio,” he concludes.
About Kemtek Imaging Systems
Kemtek Imaging Systems began trading in July 1988 and now operates from a head office in Johannesburg and full service branches in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. Export sales to Africa and the Indian Ocean islands are handled through our Johannesburg and Pretoria branches, as well as distributors and subsidiaries in various African countries. Kemtek’s directors, management and staff have expert knowledge in the target market areas in which it operates. The company itself has a wealth of experience in the printing industry dating back to 1958. Kemtek's Printing Industry Division are leading suppliers of Komori Presses, HP Indigo Digital Presses, Screen CtP and CtF Systems, Screen Trueflow Workflow and Management Systems, Flint (BASF) Polymer Plates, Epson Large Format Printers, Rogers Backing Materials, and now, in addition, Agfa Digital Plates and Chemistry. The company employs about 150 people.
About EskoArtwork
EskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innovative solutions for packaging, commercial printing, sign and display finishing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business.
EskoArtwork is the worldwide market leader with pre-production and collaboration software for packaging buyers, designers and manufacturers. The CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers, Kongsberg short-run converting and signage finishing systems complete the portfolio for the packaging, label, signage and display industries.
The company also provides a range of workflow solutions for the commercial printing and publishing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals.
EskoArtwork employs around 1,000 people worldwide. Its global sales and support organization covers Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Japan, and is completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 40 countries.
EskoArtwork is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in 6 European countries and the United States. The consolidated full year revenue for 2007 amounted to EUR 170 million, with an EBITDA of EUR 30 million.
For more information, visit www.esko.com or contact:
P.R. agencies
Europe, Asia, Africa
Lutt Willems
Duomedia Public Relations
Tel: +32 2 454 85 50
EskoArtwork
Corporate and EMEALA
Jef Stoffels
Director of Corporate Marketing
Tel: +32 9 216 90 32
