UK – Cramlington-based prepress, flexographic plate manufacturer Reproflex3 has completed the acquisition of ANF, a company that manufactures flexographic printing plates for the packaging industry.
The acquisition will support Reproflex3’s expansion inside the European corrugated packaging sector by increasing its production capabilities as well as growing its footprint in the pharmaceutical sector.
Based in Shildon, ANF Ltd works with printers, FMCG brands and pharmaceutical companies throughout the UK and Europe.
Andrew Hewitson, Group CEO at Reproflex3 said: “ANF is a respected player in the UK pharma and corrugated packaging industries, whose expertise is unquestioned with excellent people, processes and products.
“We are pleased to formally announce this strategic investment for the Reproflex3 Group as we seek to increase our manufacturing capacity and know-how within corrugate both here in the UK and internationally.
“By adding ANF’s capabilities and prepress plate technologies to our portfolio of businesses, we can provide customers with an even higher level of service and expertise as we combine the assets and strengths of both businesses.”
Reproflex3 has prepress operations in the Middle East, Europe, India, as well as New Zealand to offer various services for its global client base.
ANF managing director Paul Stoddart added: “I am pleased about this deal for ANF and our people. Reproflex3 is an innovative and ambitious company with a successful 25-year track record in prepress and flexible packaging.
“Our talented team will now have access to their state-of-the-art technologies as well as benefit from Reproflex3’s vast knowledge and digital workflow management systems.”
Meanwhile, Reproflex3 was recently recognized by leaders in the UK manufacturing industry at the prestigious Made in the UK Awards, where the company received the Digital Engineering- Technology Award for its high-definition Vortex print technology and approach to innovation within the flexible packaging industry internationally.
The Digital Engineering Technology Award recognizes the company that has best used or developed software technology or technical processes to solve problems or add value for customers.
Entries were invited from engineering and manufacturing companies or software development businesses operating in the manufacturing sector.
Reproflex3’s award-winning entry focused on Vortex, its most recent new-generation flexographic technology for the package printing industry.
Vortex has been created for printing on paper, corrugated cardboard and plastic film. It uses a set of tools developed by Reproflex3 to stabilize the flexographic print process to create enhanced print consistently and efficiently.
“We are honored to have been recognized alongside some of the region’s most innovative and respected businesses and feel very proud of this achievement,” said Hewitson.
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