ROCHESTER, N.Y., September 7 – Central Reproductions Ltd. last month installed a KODAK NEXPRESS 2100 digital production color press in its Toronto production facility, as the company stimulates new business growth and expands its full-spectrum print management service offerings.

“We were looking for a more productive, higher-quality digital printing solution with solid throughput and brand-compliant color capabilities to meet the requirements of our clients including Nissan Motors, Hyundai, Kia and others,” said Doug Snow, co-owner, Central Reproductions. “After getting all we could from a color copier-based system for a few years, we were ready to upgrade to better quality, more powerful variable data printing capabilities, and higher productivity—all of which our new NEXPRESS 2100 press will deliver.”

With a full range of design, prepress, database management, production and fulfillment capabilities in-house, Central Reproductions is well positioned to leverage the power of its new technology acquisition. In fact, the company is looking to achieve a monthly run rate of one million A4 impressions, a level that will be driven by its proven one-to-one marketing expertise and strong customer relationships. Within days of being installed, Central Reproductions was already generating revenue with its new press. Central Reproductions also strengthened its prepress department with the addition of a KODAK TRENDSETTER 800 II Quantum computer-to-plate (CTP) system, equipped with a Print Console Server, as well as an INTEGRIS 800 inkjet proofing system.

“We have always been at the forefront of variable data printing techniques, and we believe that the installation of the NEXPRESS 2100 press will enable us to take advantage of even greater opportunities,” said Ward Spencer, co-owner, Central Reproductions. “For some time we’ve been experiencing an increase in our direct mailing and one-to-one marketing business, which created the need for a more robust printing solution. At the same time, we’re also aggressively developing new business, and the NEXPRESS 2100 press provides greater versatility for new services that will attract new clients.

“Kodak has also shown their commitment to work with us and directly support our operation—rather than compete in the marketplace as some industry suppliers do,” Spencer continued. “We were impressed that business development resources were provided even before the sale was complete. We’ve been a customer of another equipment supplier for 23 years and we made the switch after determining that the NEXPRESS 2100 press, supported by the Kodak team, was a better choice and would give us a greater chance for success in a very competitive market situation.” 

Central Reproductions considered several other digital printing systems, and ultimately chose the NEXPRESS 2100 press for several key reasons. According to Doug Snow, “The 2100 press offers better uptime and productivity with its Operator Replaceable Components approach. Second, the press’s new fifth imaging unit solution delivers even better quality, as well as high-value options like clear and gloss coating and spot colors. Finally, it produces pages at the lowest cost.”

“Kodak was extremely helpful and supportive from the start. They really proved that they wanted our business, and they’ve absolutely delivered,” added Snow. “The clear advantages of their technology and service approach made it easy for us to make the switch from what we had been using. We look forward to pursuing and winning new business with our NEXPRESS 2100 press.”

About Central Reproductions, Ltd.

Central Reproductions, Ltd. is a print management company established in 1983 and based in Toronto. A $12-million operation with more than 80 employees, Central Reproductions’ services comprise the full spectrum of printing, from scanning and prepress to proofing, large-format output, offset and digital production. Additionally, the company offers complete design and layout services, database management to production, and fulfillment/mailing services. Visit Central Reproductions online at www.central-repro.com.

About Eastman Kodak Company

Kodak is the leader in helping people take, share, print, and view images - for memories, for information, for business, and for entertainment. With sales of $13.5 billion in 2004, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on four businesses: Digital & Film Imaging Systems - providing consumers, professionals, and cinematographers with digital and traditional products and services; Health - supplying the medical and dental professions with traditional and digital imaging and information systems, IT solutions, and services; Graphic Communications - providing customers with a range of solutions for prepress, traditional and digital printing, document scanning, and multi-vendor IT services; and Display & Components - supplying original equipment manufacturers with imaging sensors as well as intellectual property and materials for the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and LCD display industries. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.

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(KODAK, INTEGRIS and TRENDSETTER are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.)