The computer-to-plate market in Australasia has settled on a plateau as the majority of printers have taken on the technology. Film sales in these markets have noseped as digital platemaking has become the norm. This maturity of the market goes some way to explaining why CtP is not a headline news story now, but that is changing with the introduction of a solution from a relative newcomer to the market.

Chinese plate manufacturer Xingraphics has spent two years developing an international market for its plate products. It has had real success in Europe, Asia and South America, and is now making inroads into the Australasian market with the introduction of its FIT and FIT Xtra plates a little over a year ago through Ferag Australia. At drupa 2008 Xingraphics unveiled its new FIT eco processless plate, which is now making its way into the market.

Xingraphics has announced an international agreement with Screen to offer Screen engineered CtP platesetters. This total hardware/consumables solution is now being offered through Ferag Australia and Xingraphics's local subsidiary, Altech Solutions.

"The Screen/Xingraphics relationship is not really new, as we have worked very closely on a corporate level for a number of years to develop FIT Xtra thermal plates," corporate vicepresident for Xingraphics, Safwen Hijazi, told ProPrint. "This technology allows us to operate at full imaging speed on all GLV devices that Screen manufactures.

"Now we will promote and sell the full range of Screen technology, especially in China and Australia, so we can offer a complete solution to our customers, from plates to equipment, workflow and service" Safwen Hijazi

"However, now we will promote and sell the full range of Screen technology, especially in China and Australia, so we can offer a complete solution to our customers, from plates to equipment, workflow and service. So the partnership is key to our future success.

"Also, Screen is the only global and large equipment and workflow brand that does not have thermal plate technology, so it’s a natural fit (pardon the pun) and a partnership that is beneficial to both Screen and Xingraphics. In Australia we are working on an OEM basis, which is exciting in that we have a full range of solutions all under one brand, Xingraphics. I am personally very excited about this partnership and I can see it developing much stronger into the future."

A perfect fit with Ferag

This full solution will be offered through Ferag Australia, with whom Xingraphics has been collaborating for nearly two years. Ian Martin, general manager, Trade, at Ferag Australia, believes there are already valuable synergies with the Xingraphics-Screen products and the Ferag sales team.

"A number of our team are either ex-Screen employees or distributors of their products in the past. The Screen name is synonymous with quality and reliability and the Trueflow software is used extensively throughout the industry to manage a range of digital devices. With the experience and success of the Xingraphics thermal FIT plate, we will be able to offer a very competitive package, with a range of formats and automation, all at an affordable price."

"Ferag Australia's adoption of the Xingraphics-Screen range of CtP devices complements its already well established equipment offering and importantly, will help to boost its consumable sales of the Xingraphics FIT thermal plates."

Safwen Hijazi agrees. “We have a solid partnership in Australia with Ferag, who are a professional and strong player in the graphics market. This arrangement has strengthened that partnership further and will give both Xingraphics and Ferag the technology to offer a high quality, proven and competitively positioned complete solution to existing and potential customers in Australia."

"The Ferag Trade business distributes a range of pre-, onand postpress consumables and equipment to the ANZ graphics market," added Ian Martin. "Many of the manufacturers we represent are market leaders within their specialties in Europe and Asia. What was critical to Ferag was to partner with a manufacturer who will enhance our growing reputation as a quality supplier to the ANZ market.

"With warehousing, sales and technical staff in all states, the Screen-Xingraphics equipment perfectly complements the Xingraphics FIT range of plates, providing us with the autonomy to be even more competitive in the Australian market."

Ferag has already had some success with the FIT Xtra plates in the Australian market.

"With a number of sites already running the FIT plate, and customers being very satisfied with its strikingly blue image, high speed, reduced ablation and consistent quality, customers nationwide are vindicating our decision to extend the equipment offering," said Ian Martin.

Blue plate, long white cloud

Xingraphics is also making a concerted effort to crack the tough New Zealand graphics market with this range of CtP equipment, plates and workflow solutions.

"We are confident that we will have a solid presence in New Zealand by the end of the first quarter, 2009, as we see the NZ market as just as important as the Australian market. So we are excited about 2009, as we see a good opportunity forXingraphics to establish an even stronger position across ANZ and provide us with a solid foundation to accelerate growth once the economic conditions improve. We are very optimistic!" said Hijazi.

"The ANZ market is a strategic market for Xingraphics, so it is very important for us to be partnering with strong partners like Ferag and Screen, to provide customers with a complete solution that is comparable, if not exceeding, the technology offered by the other three major players.

"We are growing our business, and although we recognise that we are coming off a lower base, the facts are we are expanding our presence throughout the world, recruiting high calibre employees around the world to provide high level support to our customers whilst others are reducing their workforce and downsizing.

"We are also very conscious of the tough financial situation, not only in Australia and New Zealand but globally, so for us it's critical to provide high quality solutions at competitive pricing, as well as flexibility in the way we do business to ensure that our partners and customers are supported in this difficult period.

"We are investing heavily in marketing, especially brand promotion and advertising, an area that tends to suffer unjustly in harsh economic climates, to ensure we keep clear focus on becoming a global brand synonymous with high quality, consistency and exceptional customer service."

Focus Press takes the plunge

Focus Press in Sydney is completing trials of the Xingraphics FIT Xtra plate, and has given it a very good report card.

John Corrigan told ProPrint that the plate delivered on its promise. "When we did our homework we were getting good feedback about the performance of the new Xingraphics plate, about run lengths and so on. We heard that they had a price, performance and service offering that was pretty impressive." Does this new plate fit into Focus Press's strict environmental culture?

"Things are looking pretty promising there. All the plate manufacturers claim to have a processless plate solution, but these FIT Xtra plates seem to be just as advanced as any others.

"We see a real processless plate as the next big breakthrough. This is critically important to us. We've got rid of alcohol completely, we've got rid of solvents completely in our operation. We've had a couple of false starts with 'processless' plates, and I believe they're working okay on half-size presses, but not on full-size presses yet.

"We' re running these FIT Xtra plates in parallel with our other plates and we’re finding that we get longer runs from them, and top quality, so that's pretty pleasing. I think Xingraphics will be the next big player in the marketplace."