Punch Graphix' New Plate, New CEOs

By: Jim Rosenberg Belgium's Punch Graphix announced successful testing of processless UV-sensitive plates for its basysPrint platesetters. It said that although tests continue at selected customer sites, "results look promising" and commercial availability is expected early next year.

Prepress Business Development Manager Andries Teerlynck said in a statement that the development will enable Punch Graphix to compete with the latest platemaking technology. Last month Agfa, maker of Azura chemistry-free thermal plates, announced field tests of a chemistry-free plate sensitive to the wavelength and energy output of existing violet platesetters. At least two other manufacturers are working on chemistry-free violet plates and another on a chemistry-free thermal plate.

Printers that invest in a basysPrint system today will be able to switch to non-process plates without changing CTP hardware, according to Punch Graphix.

The company noted that dispensing with post-imaging treatment can further reduce costs for UV-sensitive plates, eliminate processing variables, and provide "environmentally friendly" platemaking.

A negative-working plate, its coating's polymer cross-links in reaction to the UV light emitted from the basysPrint imaging head. On press, the ink and paper remove non-exposed areas, with plates running free after five to 10 rotations.

For its new plates, Punch Graphix said it is working with a "third-party technology provider" long involved in supplying printing plates.

Punch Graphix also announced the appointment of Ben C. van Assche as CEO. The 60-year-old Belgian replaces Dick Tilanus, who passed away unexpectedly in January.

Van Assche's 35 years career in the chemical, pharmaceutical and health-care industries includes global assignments in large and mid-size companies.

Before joining Punch Graphix, Ben was President of Cytec Surface Specialties, maker of coatings, ink resins and adhesives. He earlier worked for UCB group, where he was in charge of the chemical sector, which later became Surface Specialties and was acquired by Cytec last year.

After working in the copper mining industry in the Republic of Congo, Van Assche, a civil engineer, furthered his business education at MIT's Sloan school before joining the health-care industry, first at Baxter and later at Nestle group's Alcon pharmaceutical company. Among other industry activities, Van Assche chaired the Federation of Belgian Chemical Industries.

Punch Graphix preliminary results for the year ended 31 December showed sales rose 46% (or 24% excluding basysPrint, acquired one year earlier). Operating profit increased by 65%, to 21.5 million euros.

The company, which also supplies Xeikon high-end color printers, cited "solid growth in sales of digital equipment in the US," a position in newspaper prepress "reinforced through growth of OEM supplier activities for Agfa," opening of offices in China, Brazil and Canada, and "ongoing operational and financial streamlining."

Just days after announcing Van Assche's appointment, Punch Graphix named Patrick Canavan as president and CEO of its North American operations, where he succeeds Kristof Vereenooghe, who returns to Europe.

Trained as a chemical engineer, Canavan joined Punch Graphix from LG.Philips, where he was president of its U.S. unit and sales director for the Americas. He earlier was with Philips Electronics, primarily in sales and marketing.