Four Pees acquires ProofMaster and PrintFactory distribution
Press release from the issuing company
Gent, Belgium -- Four Pees, a company providing international sales and marketing services to technology companies in the print and publishing industry, announced it has acquired PerfectProof's ProofMaster and PrintFactory software related activities. Under the terms of the agreement, Four Pees acquires the ProofMaster brand and the ProofMaster and PrintFactory dealer network.
Developed by the Dutch technology provider Aurelon, ProofMaster is a versatile and highly accurate color proofing solution. ProofMaster Certify is the easiest product on the market to produce ISO 12647 proofs. Driving over 400 devices, PrintFactory is a modular workflow solution for banner and sign production.
Four Pees has been representing PerfectProof as a sales agency in France and Italy since early 2007. It now takes over the distribution agreement with Aurelon and will provide sales, marketing and support to the entire worldwide channel and user base. Product development will remain in the capable hands of the Aurelon team.
During a transition phase of 3 months, PerfectProof will continue to provide technical support and order administration. From the end of July onwards, Four Pees will be responsible for all aspects of sales, distribution and support. Answers to sales and support questions can be found on www.proofmaster.net/faq.
PerfectProof will continue to focus on its consumables business by expanding its product offering for the proofing market. Furthermore, PerfectProof continues supporting and developing X-proof Cromalin and other software technologies for the Graphic Arts industry.
Comments from Managing Director, Aurelon
"Since 2001, our collaboration with PerfectProof has been very successful," says Gerard Lam, Managing Director of Aurelon. "PerfectProof has made ProofMaster a worldwide bestseller and I am grateful for that. However, our focus is more and more shifting to the large format production market. To further build that market we think we need a strong sales and marketing partner that can offer a complete solution to resellers and end-users around the globe." Lam concludes, "We believe Four Pees can fulfill that role."
Comprehensive Operations
Founded in February 2007 by Tom Peire, Four Pees offers dedicated marketing and sales services to technology companies in the publishing industry. The company focuses on color management, production automation and brand management solutions for magazine, catalog and newspaper publishing, commercial print and banner and sign customers. To fully support the dealer channel it serves, Four Pees recently added professional services to its portfolio, providing product integration and color management service.
Four Pees represents brands such as axaio, callas software, Digital Media Partners, Elpical and Ultimate both in- and outside Europe, serving as a full-service sales and marketing partner to these brands. Four Pees also drives the marketing efforts behind Enfocus' Crossroads community built around Enfocus Switch.
The acquisition of ProofMaster and PrintFactory distribution fits in Four Pees' growth strategy and shifts its sales related activities from outsourced sales to international distribution.
Comments from Managing Director, Four Pees
"With ProofMaster we are taking on the distribution of a product that provides designers and agencies the ease of use and color accuracy needed to print contract quality proofs that allow them to see what their work will look like in final production," says Tom Peire, managing director of Four Pees. "We also strongly believe in the potential of PrintFactory. The banner and sign industry has been flooded by different printer types and brands, but only a few companies have implemented a streamlined workflow with consistent output across their different printers," he says. "PerfectProof has managed to get some very nice reference sites with PrintFactory, such as Gardners in the UK and Imaba in the Netherlands. It will be our task to duplicate that success in the broader market."
For more information please go to www.proofmaster.net
The first public appearance of the PrintFactory and ProofMaster brands under Four Pees' responsibility will be at FESPA in Amsterdam, 12-14 May 2009 at booth C10.