Contact Originators and PN Graphics create flexo alliance in Ireland

Flexo Solutions Packaging Solutions

Contact Originators has strengthened its position in Ireland via a strategic alliance with Dublin based PN Graphics, which has seen the creation of a dedicated flexo platemaking facility to directly serve the country’s wide format flexible packaging and corrugated markets.

The facility is operated by PN Graphics from its recently extended production site in Dublin. Contact Originators has provided the large format machinery to manufacture flexo plates for wide format flexible packaging and corrugated customers.

Contact Originators is renowned for its innovative approach to packaging origination, graphics management and flexographic plate production, while PN Graphics has been producing plates for more than 27 years and is a specialist in pre-press and premedia services. With PN Graphics an established presence in Ireland’s label and flexible packaging markets and Contact Originators maintaining a robust customer portfolio in the country’s corrugated market, this alliance will benefit both businesses by offering greater and direct access to the country’s flexible packaging industry. Existing and new customers alike will benefit from quicker and reliable access to flexo platemaking facilities located in Ireland. PN Graphics will also be able to access and call upon the resources, technology and technical expertise of Contact’s Dukinfield headquarters.

Paul O’Neill, owner of PN Graphics, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Contact Originators to build upon our heritage in labels and flexible packaging whilst opening the business up to the rest of the flexo industry. It comes as a result of 12 months of collaboration and significant investment from both parties. Creating a flexo alliance directly in Ireland provides a great opportunity for both companies to better serve the needs of the region’s printers and converters.’

Contact Originators also stands to benefit from a more direct connection with the European market through partnership with an Ireland based business. Steve Mulcahy, CEO at Contact Originators, said: ‘As well as giving us a foothold in the local market, it gives us greater access to the European print sector and a means to better serve both existing and new customers in Ireland and Europe. This is one part of our strategic roadmap to grow Contact Originators and improve our service and response time to the market.

‘It is a highly reciprocal relationship though; PN Graphics will benefit from the opportunity to dive into the wide format flexible packaging market, which is lucrative in Ireland. This reflects our ethos that when we grow, our partners grow too.’