The companies Kurt Zecher GmbH, Germany, and Interflex Laser Engravers, Spartanburg, SC, USA, have agreed on a strategic partnership. Starting on June 1, 2007, Interflex will support all service activities on Zecher anilox rollers in the North American market. “With this partnership we react on the increasing needs of our customers in North America, who understandably expect a quick service reaction and prefer local support,” explains Rüdiger Wand, managing director of Zecher.

The circulation of Zecher products in the North American market increased significantly during the past years mainly because of newly installed presses, which were originally equipped with Zecher anilox rollers. Printers noticed an increased quality demand requiring special engraving specification. In order to set up a reliable on-site service, as well to secure a profound knowledge in technical support, Zecher was searching for a qualified partner in the USA.

This partnership will benefit Interflex because of the opportunity to service the European embossing and graphic coating markets with the on-site support of Zecher. Interflex, a company experienced in the laser engraving of graphics and dimension within compounds, has a dedicated computer aided design department that creates designs and manages design to engraved tool for embossing and ceramic gravure coating and laminating.

A possible partner, says Wand, should have a good skilled technical knowledge and a business philosophy which is compatible with the self-conception of Zecher. “The negotiations with Interflex President David Skellie convinced us that the company Firma Interflex is sharing these requirements.”

Interflex Laser Engravers currently employs about 30. Besides its headquarters in Spartanburg, the company operates subsidiaries in Green Bay, WI, USA; Louisville, KY, USA; Philadelphia, PA, USA; and Atlanta, GA, USA. In addition to anilox rollers, Interflex manufactures embossing rollers and ceramic gravure coating and laminating rollers. Zecher produces in Paderborn, Germany, with about 135 employees in four manufacturing plants. Zecher offers a wide spectrum of anilox rollers for various applications.