Partnering for innovation
7 January 2008
EskoArtwork came into force in August, 2007, when Esko 'combined operations' with Artwork Systems Group, its chief competitor in the packaging pre-production market.
As a result of the merger, Enfocus, the PDF pre-flighting and editing utilities specialist, a subsidiary of Artwork Systems, is now owned by EskoArtwork. The combined entity will operate out of Esko's headquarters in Ghent, Belgium, located just a few miles away from what used to be the headquarters of Artwork Systems. The company has also relaunched its logo which, incidentally, is similar to the original Esko logo.
With the initial integration and rebranding process now completed, EskoArtwork says it will focus on integration of its products and services.
So what does this mean for its customers? Although immediately after the merger, EskoArtwork experienced a “blip in sales due to lack of customer confidence”, Carsten Knudsen, ceo and president of EskoArtwork, says the sales are now “back on track”.
“Our priority after the merger was to make sure that our customers continued to do their business in the same way. This is still our driving force,” he emphasizes.
While EskoArtwork plans to continue its investment in research and development, its initial focus will be on integrating software driven systems. “Integration makes processes more efficient, reliable and cost effective,” stresses Carsten Knudsen.
EskoArtwork is, therefore, working towards enabling the products from the two entities - Esko and Artwork systems - to be compatible in competing file formats. For example, LEN now supports compression and XMP metadata while Nexus Rip 8.6 and DotSpy 4.0 support the latest LEN version. Similarly, Esko PackEdge and Esko BackStage can be exported to ArtPro native file format. EskoArtwork will also integrate other systems across its colour management range, as well as its screening, CAD, CDI, and graphic editing packages.
“Partnerships within the packaging industry help create innovation,” says Carsten Knudsen. In line with this principle, EskoArtwork plans to continue its collaboration with others in the industry. It recently teamed up with ExxonMobil to launch the PacVantage technology, which is aimed at "taking proofing off the press".
“PacVantage is being trialled at five sites in the US and Europe and is already showing positive results,” says Arjen Maarleveld, senior vice president packaging solutions.
“We have already delivered a fair bit but we've only just started,” he concludes.
Case study: Digitalizing workflow |
Belgium based Geraerts Etiketten, a specialist in the production of self adhesive labels, and printed packaging film, claims a reputation for quality, and short lead times. |
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EskoArtwork |