Toray Industries Inc. is to meet higher global demand for its pioneering waterless plates with a new printing plate factory in the Czech Republic. The Japanese specialist expects the facility to be operational in early 2014. Encompassing both coating and converting capabilities, the new Czech production facility will meet the needs of printers across Europe and the Middle East.
Currently Toray’s main plate manufacturing is undertaken in Japan and the company relies on ample local European stockpiles to ensure on time delivery to its overseas customers in an increasingly important market sector.
“Europe has been given priority regarding the time table for expanding Toray’s plate production because of the growing interest in waterless printing in these markets and the need to shorten supply routes“ states Mr. Matsumoto, General Manager, Graphics Division, Toray Industries Inc., Japan. “Central to the decision is the reinforcement of our commitment to the newspaper market where our customers benefit from the high productivity and the new semi commercial product opportunities the superior KBA Cortina newspaper press technology provides.“
The final selection of the Czech site was made after some years of operating a plate converting facility adjacent to Toray’s textile plant in Prostějov.
“It was a logical choice considering the local staff’s prior experience with printing plates and already being in possession of the required real estate for expansion,“ states Matsumoto.
The move will improve technical support to customers as well as reduce cost through simplified process flow and logistics. Matsumoto adds: “The European manufacturing site is also expected to reduce the adverse effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations “
Toray engineering staffs are currently finalizing the plans for the coating line which will be installed in a new building adjacent to the present facility. It is expected that the freed up capacity in the Japanese factory will be needed for the Asian market, which is also growing.
This latest major capital investment follows the 2003 development of a modern coating facility in Toray’s industrial complex in Okazaki, Japan, where both letterpress and waterless offset plates are produced.
