ROCHESTER, N.Y. - August 11 - Canfield & Tack, a fast-growing commercial printer with a history that dates back to 1926, has seen its share of changes in the printing industry. Today, the company is taking its transformation to the next stage with the installation of a KODAK NEXPRESS 2100 digital production color press. A 100 percent employee-owned printer based in Rochester, N.Y., Canfield & Tack has moved quickly and aggressively to establish itself as a full-service provider, while holding true to its roots as a supplier of choice for clients who need the highest quality print production. Canfield & Tack has seen Kodak as a long-term partner in its success. "Long before digital technology, we used all KODAK equipment for our traditional analog-based film plotters and processors, and litho plates that you had to image in a vacuum frame," said Dan Mahany, President, Canfield & Tack. "The digital transformation in the commercial world is equally as significant as in the consumer world, and Canfield & Tack exemplifies this evolution. Over the years, we've relied on Kodak for products for digital proofing and creating plates directly, and now we've adopted their digital press - the NEXPRESS 2100 - for many new printing applications that expand the services we offer our customers, as we make our own transition from conventional to digital technologies." The company has for many years worked with Kodak Polychrome Graphics for its offset supplies, platesetters and KODAK APPROVAL proofing systems, and also uses a BRISQUE workflow from Creo, a subsidiary of Kodak. Mahany cites the quality, support and "workhorse" nature of the 2100 as proof that with the right product, the time was right to get into digital. "We actually were an early adopter of digital technology back in 1998. The problem was, with our market position on the higher end, our customers expected a higher end product. The technology at that time couldn't deliver the kind of consistency we wanted...so we took a break from digital," Mahany said. "Now, we can comfortably offer our clients the kind of quality they expect. We put the NEXPRESS 2100 press through its paces, and had them print test files on short notice - the quality stood up very well with our offset output." Canfield & Tack has installed the NEXPRESS 2100 press with KODAK NEXPRESS fifth imaging unit solutions and the KODAK NEXGLOSSER glossing unit to enable them to add custom color printing, protective coating and high-quality gloss to printed products. "The fifth imaging unit solutions and glossing unit fit right into our model and will enhance our color capabilities. People want the more sophisticated finishes the glossing unit offers," said Ray Brown, Vice President of Digital Services. The added digital capability of the NEXPRESS 2100 press will enhance the company's existing business, which ranges from marketing materials for consumer and business brands, to high-end annual reports and custom published books. Canfield & Tack also is adding to its full-service capabilities, opening up a new fulfillment center that will expand its direct mail business, and expanding its variable data printing capabilities with the installation of the NEXPRESS 2100 press. Mahany says that the company has been pleasantly surprised at the depth of support Kodak has provided in helping them develop and expand their digital business. "Usually, you get a piece of equipment and then you're on your own. Kodak is providing all kinds of resources and employee time to help us succeed. They'll go on customer visits to help us generate work and they're running a series of training seminars for our sales force, and customer seminars to educate our customers about variable data printing," Mahany said. "Kodak's recent moves in the digital printing market have shown that they're in this business with both feet. It should give us access to the next product, and the next one behind it," Mahany said, noting that they expect digital to be an increasingly important part of their business over the next few years. "During the downturn, it was easy to say `the sky is falling.' But we firmly believe that if you do the best job possible, you outperform expectations, and deliver value to your customers, you will be rewarded. Our move into digital printing with the NEXPRESS 2100 press builds on that philosophy."