ROCHESTER, N.Y. - xpedx, one of the largest distributors of graphics supplies and equipment in North America, is now an Authorized Reseller of KODAK Packaging Solutions in the United States. The agreement enables xpedx to provide important new offset and flexographic package printing technologies to U.S. commercial printers, in-plant printers and companies specializing in package and label printing.

Under the new agreement, xpedx will add the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System, KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow, KODAK PRINERGY EVO POWERPACK Workflow, KODAK THERMOFLEX Platesetters, KODAK APPROVAL Digital Color Imaging System and KODAK FLEXCEL Plates to its existing portfolio.

In addition to a large customer base of commercial and in-plant printers, xpedx also has a network of more than 550 packaging specialists, representatives and technicians at more than 100 locations across North America to serve a wide range of small, mid-size and large manufacturers with total packaging solutions. For the past 10 years, xpedx has served as an Authorized Reseller of Kodak's commercial printing solutions in the United States, including workflow, CTP devices, plates, proofing and consumables.

"Kodak has enjoyed a productive relationship with xpedx for many years and this next step will bring many benefits to the customers we both serve," noted Joe Varone, Segment Sales Director, Packaging, US&C, Kodak. "The packaging market is going through a lot of changes today, so having a trusted and dependable resource to help guide you is critical. Kodak offers many leading packaging solutions that deliver quality and efficiency, and making them available through xpedx will enable customers to maximize their technology investments."

The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System was named this year as the sole recipient of the 2009 Flexographic Technical Association Technical Innovation Award. It also received the 2008 PIA/GATF InterTech Technology Award and the Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) Technology Innovator of the Year Award.

The FLEXCEL NX System enables offset class, gravure quality results for packaging printers and their brand owner clients, as well as improved productivity and efficiency, and unprecedented simplicity and predictability on press. The FLEXCEL NX System enables outstanding print quality on a wide variety of substrates including paper, flexible film, foil, paperboard and label stock.

"This new agreement builds on our longstanding relationship with Kodak and allows us to bring a wide array of products, important new tools and support to U.S. printers that produce package printing," said Dennis Killion, corporate director of marketing for graphics at xpedx. "We can help them gain important new efficiencies throughout their operations and also help them enter or expand within important package printing markets."

xpedx opened a new U.S. print technology center in Cincinnati, Ohio, in April 2009. The center showcases prepress and workflow technologies, offset and digital presses, as well as post-press/bindery equipment and technology. The center currently features KODAK PRINERGY Workflow, and a KODAK MAGNUS 800 Platesetter.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.