Following its recent merger with Barco and Perup-Eskofot, newly formed Esko-Graphics has concluded a thorough strategic review of all its product and market activities in the packaging and graphic arts sector.
"Esko-Graphics has the objective to become the recognised innovator and commercial leader within selected segments of the graphic arts and packaging industries," said CEO Kim Graven-Nielsen. "We let our customers' perspective drive our important decisions. We further complement our offerings through strategic alliances with partners in the industry, to provide our customers with the complete solutions they need to run their businesses."
Belgian-based Esko-Graphics will direct its major resources and investments to a number of core business areas. In the commercial printing market, the focus is on offset computer-to-plate imaging solutions using violet laser technology - the PlateDriver family - complemented with the FlowDrive and FastLane Next Generation workflow systems, each tuned to the requirements of different customer types. The quick prepress segment is addressed by Esko-Graphics' well-known computer-to-plate devices for polyester printing plates and by the smaller format PlateDriver QPS4.
In the packaging markets, Esko-Graphics continues its focus on integrated software solutions for both graphic and structural design, on workflow and raster image processing systems, on the unique Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) computer-to- flexo-plate devices, and on its Kongsberg line of sample-making and small-lot manufacturing products.
These major product lines are joined by a series of others that helped Esko-Graphics earn its strong position in the industry, such as EskoScan copydot scanners and filmsetters for small to very large exposure formats.
"For each of these core business areas, Esko-Graphics is already offering world class products used by numerous designers, prepress shops, printers and converters all over the world," continued Graven-Nielsen. "On top of that, our development teams are working at a number of new products and technologies that will carry our business and our customers well into the future."
Esko-Graphics' strategic analysis has also identified a number of non-core activities, including its newspaper business. The management however is convinced that these areas present excellent future opportunities if brought into an environment more adapted to specific market or business requirements. Esko-Graphics intends to divest from these activities over time, and has started looking for interested third parties.
"Esko-Graphics is committed to continue undiminished services and support to our large installed base for these products," said Graven-Nielsen. "Bringing these activities in a stronger position for future development guarantees our existing customers the best return on their past investments and offers them a continued path forward."
Esko-Graphics also intends to discontinue further development and sales of its Mondrian very large format offset computer-to-plate device. This plan may affect a number of jobs in Gent, Belgium; the appropriate due process with the social partners has been initiated.
"The concentration of our efforts on well-chosen core business areas enables Esko-Graphics to better serve its customers and to respond faster to their needs," concludes Graven-Nielsen. "Together with ongoing actions towards cost management and optimisation of the merged organisations, they improve our profitability and provide us with a strong and healthy platform for growth."
Esko-Graphics is a leading global supplier of digital prepress and pre-production products and services to the graphic arts and packaging industry. The company has R&D and manufacturing facilities in Denmark, Belgium, Norway, Germany, the United States and the Czech Republic. It has sales and support organisations throughout Europe, South America and Asia/Pacific, as well as in the United States of America and in Japan and employs about 1,100 people.