Consumables
Kodak Expands Xiamen Plate Operation with Opening of Second Manufacturing Line
Wednesday 03. February 2010 - Enhanced operation in one of the countrys earliest special economic zones underscores Kodaks commitment in China and the Asia Pacific Region
In response to the growing plate demand in China and the Asia Pacific region, Kodak is opening a second production line for its Xiamen printing plate manufacturing facility. The expanded, state-of-the-art facility in Chinas southeastern city will enhance Kodaks manufacturing capacity for offset products and underlines Kodaks committment to strengthen its production base for customers in this fast-growing market.
“China and the Asia Pacific region are key markets, and the expanded Xiamen plant gives us closer proximity and enhanced capability in serving our customers in this part of the world,” said Douglas Edwards, General Manager and Vice President, Prepress Solutions, and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “The second manufacturing line in Xiamen will bring our offset production capability to the next level, as this operation will support the manufacturing of Kodaks leading edge portfolio.”
The manufacturing line will produce CTP plates for the Greater Asia Region and will supply other regions with certain plates. The plant will support the development of current and new products.
“The expanded manufacturing line in Xiamen will introduce Kodaks cutting edge production technologies, which will make the plant the most advanced plate manufacturing facility on our global map ,” said Diane McCue, General Manager, Printing Plates, Graphic Communications Group, and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company.
Kodak previously announced expansion of its Center of Operations and Support, comprising customer service and internal operations, in Xiamen. The Center offers order processing, business procedures and other services, as well as human resources and financial support. In August 2009, Kodak also relocated its Southeast Asia-based Logistics Center to Xiamen to support its fast-growing business in the Asian market. These two strategic moves demonstrate the companys commitment to the market.
“The Kodak team will build on its competitive performance, world-class quality and strong operational experience residing with the existing Xiamen production line to deliver additional capacity from the expanded operation,” said Robert Price, Greater Asia Region Printing Plates Operations Director; General Manager, Kodak Xiamen Manufacturing Plant, Eastman Kodak Company. “By combining the expanded manufacturing facility with the Center of Operations and Support, as well as the Asia Pacific Logistic Center, Kodak is making Xiamen both an operational and strategic hub for the Asia Pacific region.”
Kodaks leading plate portfolio includes flexographic, sheet-fed and web offset printing solutions for commercial, newspaper, and packaging printers. Kodak invented thermal plates in 1995 with the introduction of the KODAK DIRECT IMAGE Thermal Plate, and since then has led the way in innovative CTP solutions.
Kodaks printing plates are part of a full solution portfolio, including a broad range of proofing choices and platesetters, as well as the widely accepted KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System. In proofing, Kodak offers digital halftone, inkjet, virtual and analog solutions. In platesetting, customers can select industry-leading equipment, including KODAK TRENDSETTER and MAGNUS CTP Platesetters, using KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology to provide exceptionally high resolution images. In addition, KODAK STACCATO Screening offers high-fidelity, continuous tone images that exhibit fine detail and an extended color gamut.