Ghent (Belgium), July 2005 – Esko-Graphics, the market leader in packaging pre-production solutions, proudly announces to have produced and installed the 1000th worldwide Kongsberg XL samplemaking table. Italian partner B+B International has installed the system at the Ferrara plant of SCA Packaging Italia. The Kongsberg XL tables are part of the Kongsberg product family, manufactured in Kongsberg, Norway and further including the DCM and i-XL series. The highly successful XL Kongsberg tables have been installed in more than 75 countries across the globe and firmly cemented Esko-Graphics’ market leading position as a supplier of CAM tables to the packaging world. The Kongsberg products are highly recognized for their reliability and longevity, and have been subject to continued feature updates and improvements. The latest successful development is the i-XL series which was well received during the launch this year at FESPA. The i-XL integrates the Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering (MGE) i-cut vision system and i-script workflow for perfect print to cut registration. This solution complements the printing of packages, signs, displays and POP materials with a unique finishing solution that provides automation with high productivity and high precision for the widest range of soft and rigid materials. SCA Packaging The first Kongsberg was installed at SCA Packaging Italy 15 years ago and it is still hard at work. The SCA group was an early test site for the Kongsberg table and contributed input that was used in the present design and features of the present samplemaking table. SCA Packaging Italy is a division of the Swedish SCA Group, a multinational company with global presence specializing in the manufacture of graphic paper, hygienic products and packaging. They are one of the few companies in Italy to offer a complete-cycle solution as a paper mill, corrugator, carton manufacturing and waste recovery. Including the Ferrara plant, there are six SCA production sites in Italy equipped with the Kongsberg samplemaking tables. The production line in Ferrara includes a wide range of high quality packaging from conventional American boxes to heavy-duty containers. “Our packaging production capabilities enable us to produce customized packaging for all varieties and shapes of machinery and printed displays,” explains Gianfranco Pierotti, Plant Director in Ferrara of SCA Packaging Italia. “The cutting quality of the Kongsberg table is very important for this kind of packaging, particularly for short-runs.” The installation was facilitated by B+B International, a firm with an outstanding reputation for service and expertise, and the exclusive distributor in Italy for the Kongsberg line. “Esko-Graphics has sold a substantial number of Kongsberg tables in Italy, so it is no coincidence that this 1000th Kongsberg installation takes place in Italy. It underlines a successful cooperative relationship between Esko-Graphics and B+B International.” comments Hubert Scheir, Director of Marketing EMEALA at Esko-Graphics.