Mark Nixon.
Israeli digital finishing systems makers Highcon and Scodix will be represented in the UK by Conversion, a new company set up by Mark Nixon, former UK executive sales director of press maker KBA.
Based in Watford, Conversion has been awarded the rights to market, supply, install and service the products. Mr Nixon left KBA in the spring after several years directing UK sales. Prior to that he had extensive experience in digital pre-press sales, at DuPont and then as UK sales director for Scitex and its later incarnations as CreoScitex and Creo before it was acquired by Kodak in 2005. Maria Machera, Creo’s UK marketing manager at the same time, will handle marketing and demand creation at the company.
The Highcon Euclid, launched at drupa in May, is the world’s first digitally controlled cutting and creasing machine for short run fast turnround carton packaging, using a combination of high powered lasers for cutting and extruded polymer rules for creasing. It is a B1 format machine costing approximately £500,000 and deliveries are just starting, with the first European machine going to a company near Brussels. Euclid was the subject of Digital Printer’s October issue Centrefold, here.
The Highcon Euclid demonstrated at drupa attracted a stream of visitors.
‘The Highcon Euclid is simply a revolution in the post press arena,’ said Mr Nixon. ‘Not only have Highcon shortened the time to first cut and creased sheet from days to minutes, they have also significantly improved the efficiency and flexibility of the process. This technology paves the way for packaging companies to stay competitive, creative and innovative while answering the requirement for ever-reducing run lengths.’
Chris Baker, vice president of sales and business development for Highcon worldwide, said that Mr Nixon and Ms Machera’s extensive sales and marketing experience in the print market, more specifically the technology market, was paramount in the selection process. ‘Both have served in lateral markets and both therefore understand the impact that the Euclid will make on the marketplace,’ he added.
Scodix makes sheetfed inkjet presses that use a specialist high-clarity UV cured polymer to build up raised and textured images similar to embossing, but for short runs with variable data. It calls this process ‘Sense,’ though it was originally called ‘DigitalEmbossing.’ It showed its first machine, the B2 format Scodix1200, at Ipex 2010 and followed this with a pair of second generation models in B2 and B3 formats launched at drupa in May. It has also developed an optional station called Rainbow that can apply coloured glitter effects in the same run. At present there are two Scodix1000s operating in the UK, both at RCS in Retford and another at McGowans in Dublin which offers it to the UK market though its recently opened London office.
Digitally embossed and glitter enhanced pre-printed sheets coming off the delivery of the new B2 format Scodix S74 press at drupa. This machine was sold off the stand to a Russian customer.
‘This is a product that will open up more opportunities for printers and their clients,’ said Mr Nixon. ‘In a world of online media options, engaging the senses through print can help it evolve and remain high on the shopping list of brand owners. Scodix certainly goes a long way in making this happen and we are confident about growing the business in the UK.’
Amos Libermann, Scodix’ vice president of sales, Europe, said: ‘Conversion has been created to specifically address the markets that we are interested in. This gives us a perfect match in ambition and opportunities.’
Contact: www.conversion-uk.com
