HUDSON, N.H., June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Presstek, Inc. , a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally responsible high tech digital imaging solutions for the graphic arts market, today announced further progress in its pan-European expansion with the opening of a network of Presstek-authorized DI centers to provide sales, service and support for Presstek Direct Imaging (DI) presses. To date, Presstek and select distribution partners have established new centers in Italy, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Denmark. Presstek anticipates opening at least two additional centers this year.
Presstek's Director of European Sales and Marketing, Raymond Hillhouse, said, "Presstek-authorized DI Centers are proving to be a very successful resource for providing complete sales, service and support to our European DI customers in partnership with our dealer network. As an extension to Presstek's customer-focused approach, the Centers enable direct access to our expertise and knowledge base for customers and dealers by providing a venue for open houses, demonstrations and special educational events. As an example, we recently conducted workshops for DI owners on using the DI press to print on plastics and lenticular material to help them take advantage of this unique and growing market."
In Prague, Presstek recently partnered with its Eastern European dealer, ALTUMedia to host a well-attended open house for Polish customers. Attendees were able to see the DI press first-hand and experience its high level of automation, speed, and outstanding printing quality. The Prague DI Center was also a critical enabling factor in the sale and installation of two DI presses in Romania.
Rome-based Digraph, a longtime, successful Presstek CTP distributor, recently signed on as a Presstek-authorized DI Center as a natural progression in its business expansion. Digraph and Presstek featured Presstek's DI presses and chemistry-free CTP systems at Grafitalia in Milan May 9-15th. During the exhibition, orders for three DI presses, two Dimension Excel CTP systems, and one Vector TX52 were secured.
"The tremendous response at Grafitalia exceeded all of our expectations in terms of both sales and lead generation," said Fabrizio Fiorito, Digraph's general manager. "Companies are increasingly recognizing that Presstek DI presses are the ideal solution to delivering high quality, fast turnaround offset printing with the ease of use of a digital printer, particularly for small printers and digital print shops who routinely face tight deadlines."
In the Scandinavian market, Presstek has teamed with Denmark-based Stielund & Taekker, a Presstek CTP distributor since 1999. "The timing is perfect for promoting the DI press in Scandinavia," stated Niels Stielund, Managing Director. "It is a proven, environmentally friendly technology with many satisfied users that are spreading the word. We are continually receiving inquiries from printers interested in the DI press, and the new DI Center will help us better address those inquiries and close more sales."
A DI Center located in Presstek's London office serves the UK market. According to Quen Baum, Managing Director for Presstek Europe, "The success of the Presstek DI press is a reflection of the company's well-established role as a leading provider of digital imaging solutions for the industry."
He adds, "The Presstek-authorized DI centers are proving to be a highly effective resource for delivering on Presstek's commitment to meet the needs of European print providers. Following the launch of the Presstek 34 and 52DI presses at IPEX, the market interest has been exceptional, and we are proud to have the DI Centers available across Europe in partnership with our dealer network to increase our market reach and deepen our customer support capabilities. The new Presstek 52DI press is uniquely positioned to bring significant productivity and cost advantages to the 52cm, landscape-format, four-color short run market, and its compact footprint and environmentally friendly operation will bring additional value to the European print provider. Additionally, studies have shown that a DI press is unbeatable in price and performance for print runs from 250 to 10,000 impressions. What more could a printer want?"
About Direct Imaging (DI) Presses
Today's DI press is the fastest way to go from file to printed sheet -- all four plates are automatically and simultaneously imaged on press, allowing for changeovers in less than 10 minutes. On-press imaging eliminates the workflow steps traditionally associated with plate manufacturing and easily produces excellent quality printing with up to 300 lpi and stochastic screening. Presstek pioneered DI technology more than 15 years ago and is currently on its fourth generation of imaging technology.
About Presstek
Presstek, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally responsible high tech digital imaging solutions to the graphic arts and laser imaging markets. Presstek's patented DI(R), CTP and plate products provide a streamlined workflow in a chemistry-free environment, thereby reducing printing cycle time and lowering production costs. Presstek solutions are designed to make it easier for printers to cost effectively meet increasing customer demand for high-quality, shorter print runs and faster turnaround while providing improved profit margins.
Presstek's Precision Lithograining Corporation is a manufacturer of high quality digital and conventional printing plate products, including Presstek's award-winning, chemistry-free Anthem plate. Presstek subsidiary, Lasertel, Inc., manufactures semiconductor laser diodes for Presstek's and external customers' applications.
For more information visit http://www.presstek.com/, or call 603-595-7000 or email:
CONTACTS:
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Betty LaBaugh Jane Miller
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603-594-8585 ext. 3441 603-594-8585 ext. 3346
