U. Günther GmbH operates FLEXCEL NX System in tandem
January 16, 2019Leading German packaging prepress service provider boosts its commitment to FLEXCEL NX Plate technology with a second KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide 5080 System – from Kodak’s limited anniversary edition
Five years after KODAK FLEXCEL NX Plate technology made its debut at U. Günther GmbH with the acquisition of a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide 5080 System, a second line of the same type was commissioned in November 2018. U. Günther is now the first Kodak customer in Europe to use two of these large-format systems to make high-resolution, high-performance flexographic plates in 1270 x 2032 mm size.
Full-service provider for the A to Z of packaging
Established in 1968 by Ulrich Günther, this family owned Hamburg firm currently employs around 125 people. The portfolio covers everything from consulting through packaging design, artwork and mock-up production, reproduction and platemaking for any letterpress application to print production support on behalf of brand owners and retailers. Early in 2016, rapid growth prompted the decision to transfer the company’s entire platemaking operations to Greven, about 35 miles to the east in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. Twenty-five percent of U. Günther’s turnover is generated with international clients, with business not confined to Germany’s immediate neighbors but as far afield as Greece, Israel, North Africa and Turkey.
At U. Günther, flexo dominates platemaking with 85% of all plates produced; the remainder are letterpress and offset varnish plates. Among the flexo plates, paperboard and corrugated postprint account for 50% of the total surface as opposed to 35% for flexible packaging and 15% for labels. The packaging prepress service provider uses FLEXCEL NX Plate technology for all of these flexo applications alongside various LAMS systems and a direct laser engraving system.
