Tags: Kodak Electra / Kodak InSite / Kodak Magnus / Kodak Prinergy

* Company boosts the efficiency and quality of its production after installing KODAK Solutions

Last year, Belgium-based printer Moderna made ten strategic investments, with one of the most significant being in the area of automation. The company installed the KODAK PRINERGY CONNECT Workflow System, the KODAK INSITE Prepress Portal System a KODAK MAGNUS VLF QUANTUM CTP Platesetter,  X-Speed with a fully automatic KODAK Automatic Pallet Loader, and KODAK ELECTRA XD Thermal Plates.

Situated in Paal-Beringen on the Dutch border, Moderna is managed by Eric and Leo Bongaerts, and has evolved into a modern graphics operation that employs almost 100 people, with around 60 percent of its turnover coming from the Netherlands. The company began with a cold-set web press, but as a result of burgeoning demand for more colour and higher quality, it progressed to heat-set for printing periodicals and catalogues.

Speed and efficiency with the PRINERGY System and MAGNUS VLF Platesetter X-Speed

After previously using a workflow system from another leading company, Moderna switched to the new KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System, which was fully operational within a month. The impact of using the new system quickly became clear – the company now completes more jobs in less time and with fewer people.

To keep pace with rapid increases in printing capacity, and to meet the tight deadlines for all the various periodicals, Moderna also needed additional CTP capacity to cope with peak demand and provide the necessary backup. The company opted for the KODAK MAGNUS VLF QUANTUM Platesetter, X-Speed, with a KODAK Automatic Pallet Loader, which loads different plate sizes on pallets directly into the CTP system. Thanks to JDF, plate production is now also highly automated.

Automation for the company and customers

In addition to the PRINERGY System, Moderna chose the KODAK INSITE Prepress Portal System, which gives clients and prepress staff secure web-based access to the PRINERGY System from any location in the world. They can use it to enter orders, upload and pre-flight files, view and approve proofs and track production progress. Eric Bongaerts is convinced that he has made the right choice: “This prepress portal was the main reason for choosing the PRINERGY System. The INSITE System checks the files before they even reach our system and ensures we’re no longer wasting time with incorrect or incomplete files, which can result in press downtime. The INSITE System immediately lets the client know about any discrepancies, ensuring all the information we receive can be properly processed.”

Bongaerts has also had a lot of positive feedback from users. “Delays occur far less often, the production process operates at a higher speed, and anyone can take immediate action to prevent potential errors. Adopting such a consistent method of working has helped reduce the overall production cycle. Moderna is proof that it’s never too late to switch to a different workflow system and start enjoying immediate benefits.”

Kodak Moderna

Wise decisions in turbulent times

Eric Bongaerts looks back with satisfaction at the company’s investment programme, which was  launched in 2007 and cost more than €21m: “Considering the current economic situation, our decision to implement this ambitious plan was made at exactly the right time. While other companies are still postponing their investments, we’ve bought wisely and are now on a far stronger footing. We’re quietly very confident that we can weather the economic storm – plus we’re in the perfect position to exploit new opportunities as we emerge from the downturn.”

Bongaerts believes that incorporating KODAK  Technology in Moderna’s investment programme will undoubtedly contribute towards the company’s ongoing success: “Kodak has enabled us to be even more competitive in the periodicals market. We plan to win market share on those sheet-fed presses that currently handle the shorter print runs, plus we’re also anticipating further growth in Wallonia and in France.”

Kodak - Moderna, Eric Bongaerts

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