Southern Lithoplate, Inc. (SLP) is expanding its recently announced Strategic Alliance program for the commercial and offset printing market through a partnership agreement with Esko. The new partnership strengthens SLP's growing portfolio of integrated systems solutions to help companies that produce commercial printing, folding cartons and offset labels manage and grow their business.

"This agreement is key to fulfilling our commitment to the North American commercial print market," said Steven Mattingly, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for SLP. "Medium- and large-sized printing companies can combine Esko's state-of-the-art automated workflow software products with SLP's commercial digital printing plates and allied prepress products to execute cost and operational efficiencies and accelerate revenue growth. The great value and opportunity inherent in Esko's business structure and array of workflow management products become increasingly clear. SLP will leverage the diverse customer base of Esko to serve commercial printers and establish SLP as a premier resource."

"This is the first time in recent history that Esko has partnered with a supplier of consumable products in the offset printing segment," observed Dennis Mehta, Vice President of Market Development for the commercial market at Esko. "In every sense of the word, the SLP Strategic Alliance is an alliance. We have the opportunity to collaborate, support and excel together to enhance our customers' business. Upgrading software systems is always a big decision for printing companies. The combination of SLP's innovative commercial printing products and our suite of prepress software applications will provide new and important benefits for our commercial printing customers."

SLP's Strategic Alliance partnerships are focused on providing customers with easy-to-use, robust solutions through collaboration of joint expertise and integration of complementary technologies. Esko has established a reputation as a global leader. Esko's advanced workflow products increase productivity, facilitate job turnaround, reduce errors and improve customer communications in the highly competitive commercial printing arena.

The core of Esko's workflow platform is Automation Engine. The feature-rich, modular system fully automates the daily tasks in prepress production. Optional software modules add functionality.

Other members of the partnership program include X-Rite, Incorporated, the leader in color management and color measurement. Along with Esko, their combined capabilities allow commercial printers to bundle best-in-class solutions for themselves.

For more information about SLP's Strategic Alliance and commercial printing solutions, contact (800) 638-7990 or visit www.slp.com or www.esko.com.