IRVING, Texas--Sept. 4, 2001--The LTC Group, a leading provider of packaging solutions and Vertis' Advertising Production Services unit, today announced the successful installation of the Barco CDI PowerBeam(TM). The Barco CDI PowerBeam is a computer-to-flexo plate imager that will streamline the flexographic printing process for manufacturers of packaged goods. The CDI PowerBeam installed at The LTC Group's Irving facility is the first in North America and has already resulted in decreased packaging production cycle times. Most important, the print quality from these plates is far superior to any previous flexographic process. "The LTC Group is continuously innovating to be responsive to client and marketplace needs,'' said Jeff Turner, Group President, Vertis Advertising Production Services. "The CDI PowerBeam has been tested to be much faster than the traditional CDI TwinBeam(TM) devices our competitors are using. Incorporating the CDI PowerBeam into The LTC Group's Total Digital Workflow(TM) solution cuts the flexographic platemaking process significantly -- reducing the production cycle by as much as half -- allowing our packaging clients enhanced time to market.'' Barco Graphics, the CDI PowerBeam manufacturer, has incorporated the latest YAG laser technology and plans to implement system upgrades approximately every 18 months that will result in a doubling of the plate imaging speed. "Barco is proud to be associated with The LTC Group,'' stated Ian Hole, Business Development Manager, Barco Graphics. "This is the first installation of CDI PowerBeam in North America, reconfirming The LTC Group's aggressive position within the flexographic industry.'' DuPont's Cyrel Plates are being used with the CDI PowerBeam as integral components of The LTC Group's Total Digital Workflow solution for consumer goods manufacturers. The Cyrel plates dramatically increase the quality of packaging graphics applications. "The installation of CDI PowerBeam is just another example of The LTC Group's focus on quality and customer service. We have a long history of working together to improve processes for packagers,'' commented Ray Bodwell, Digital Marketing Manager, DuPont. The LTC Group was recently named a DuPont Cyrel Quality Assurance Tradeshop Partner, completing the QA qualification and documentation process in record time. "The LTC Group has had a tradition of quality and innovation and the commitment to our Quality Assurance program is yet another step in their quest for continuous improvement and excellence in flexographic printing,'' added Susan Kenney, Corporate Account Manager, DuPont.