Ghent (Belgium), - Stratus Packaging (www.stratuspackaging.com), a major label converter with three sites in France, recently invested in an all-Esko digital flexo solution.

The investment includes a CDI Spark 4835 with HD Flexo technology, making the company one of the most technologically advanced label converters offering its clients the best quality choice in different printing technologies. In addition, Stratus Packaging is the first label converter in France to install Esko's Digital Flexo Suite for Labels with a Kongsberg XN cutting table for automated flexo plate production and accurate plate cutting. (www.esko.com/DigitalFlexo).

"It is our ambition to constantly remain at the cutting edge of label printing technologies," says Isidore Leiser, CEO of Stratus Packaging. "Our investments are always a clear demonstration of our commitment to meet and exceed our customers' expectations. We can only do so by offering the best technology and equipment available on the market. We have always made it a priority to work with leading, state-of-the-art technology providers and Esko is the perfect partner for this."

Meeting customer expectations

Offering both conventional printing services including offset, flexo, flexo UV and screen printing as well as digital printing services is one of the main strengths of Stratus Packaging. With an international and diverse customer base, the company must be able to respond to the most diverse requirements in terms of quality label printing. "It is our philosophy to listen to our customers, and based upon their specific needs, select the most appropriate technology to print their labels," comments Isidore Leiser. "Working with Esko gave us access to both high quality digital flexo printing as well as efficient digital printing on our HP Indigo digital presses driven by Esko's DFE (Digital Front-End). Esko's solutions allow us to accurately prepare files, while having the ability to choose till the last moment the best technology for the specific job. We are therefore in a position to meet every customer requirement with the right technological answer."

Long-standing partnership continues

Stratus Packaging's recent investment in Esko solutions marks another milestone in a longstanding collaboration between both companies. Stratus is working successfully with an Esko Nexus prepress workflow since more than ten years, as well as Esko's DFE to drive three HP Indigo digital presses for almost four years. Esko WebCenter is also used to offer customers remote proofing service over the Internet.

The recent investment provides Stratus Packaging with an outstanding combination of speed and quality, that will open new business possibilities for the company. "HD Flexo and the CDI will help us significantly improve the print quality of our labels, thanks to high quality plates, offering highly replicable results," says Isidore Leiser. "The speed of the CDI and the streamlined plate cutting process using the Kongsberg table and Digital Flexo Suite will also help us reduce turnaround times and meet shorter deadlines. Finally, the new possibilities offered by the Kongsberg XN table as far as nested shapes, now allow us to explore new label shapes in a cost effective way."

The first step of an ambitious investment program

"This recent investment is only the first step in an ambitious 10 M€ investment program by Stratus Packaging," underscores Isidore Leiser. "Over the next five years, we will upgrade most of our printing equipment. The next step, which already started in 2012, includes an investment in a new Flexo UV press and an offset UV press."

This move fully illustrates Stratus Packaging's forward-thinking philosophy. Olivier Moeyersoms, Regional Business Manager France, Esko comments: "By investing in our digital flexo solutions, Stratus Packaging is placing itself at the forefront of high quality label printing. We are proud they are the first label converter in France to work with the Digital Flexo Suite driving a Kongsberg cutting table. This solution - although it already built momentum among prepress specialists and folding carton printers - is now just starting to gain proper attention from the label printing community and Stratus Packaging is, once again, leading the way."