Esko, a worldwide market leader offering flexo solutions as well as a targeted range of value added consulting services that deliver expert advice for increased customer value and increased ROI, announces that its entire US Flexo Implementation Quality (FIQ) staff has completed the FIRST Implementation Specialist Certification – Level III. This is the highest level of certification offered by Flexographic Technical Association (FTA). The newly certified team members are Rory Marsoun, Doug Benham, Henning Hansen, and Ryan Hansen.

“This certification recognizes this team’s proficiency in the entire flexographic workflow,” enthuses Jill Gehrhardt, Vice President of Americas Customer Service. “This will allow us to provide the highest level of support to our Flexo customers because of this increased level of expertise within our support team. This also represents a unique competitive advantage, as we believe our degree of certification is unmatched.”

Esko's technical consulting services provide solid solutions for addressing the challenges in today's packaging industry. Consumer product companies must launch increasing volumes of products within very short time frames. Internal design and product lifecycle management processes are squeezed by severe time and quality requirements. The packaging process is further complicated by frequent updates and multi-disciplinary involvement. Esko's consulting services enable the company to share its expertise with customers throughout the value chain. Esko can help companies to identify and resolve workflow and quality challenges in design, prepress and production of packaging.

Since its debut in 1997, FIRST has become the most comprehensive, most frequently referred to, technical resource for the flexographic industry. Its aim is to provide all participants in the flexographic reproduction process (i.e. customers, designers, prepress providers, raw material & equipment suppliers, and printers) with a common set of guidelines, tutorials, targets and tolerances that can be used as communication and production tools. When adhered to, the guidelines outlined in FIRST 4.0 helps all members of the supply chain improve quality, reduce cycle times, minimize rework and waste, and facilitate producing a predictable, consistent result, print run after print run.

There are three types of FIRST Operator Certifications, including Press Operator, Prepress Operator, and Implementation Specialist. To be fully certified, the student must successfully pass three levels, regardless of which certification is chosen. Earning a FIRST Operator Certification is the surest, fastest way to gain professional expertise and valuable skills that can be put to use right away. It allows operators to demonstrate proficiency at measuring and controlling print processes, and to communicate effectively with the entire supply chain.

To learn more about FTA and the FIRST Operator Certification program, visit www.flexography.org. For Esko solutions support, visit www.esko.com/en/services/solution-services-overview/solution-services.