Mark Andy Print Products (MAPP), the print parts and pressroom consumables specialist, is set for further growth in North America, spurred on by its relationships with key industry players such as DuPont and tesa.

Founded more than a decade ago to serve the US market, MAPP has grown into a global business. Starting out with a team of five, the company’s roster has grown by more than 20 times, with the business now employing over 100 team members. A European division was introduced in 2021 and serves not only that continent but large swathes of the rest of the world. Recent growth allows MAPP to boast a global outlook, with work continuing to build on the company’s already sizeable footprint in the USA. This will be leveraged when MAPP participates at Labelexpo Americas 2024.

At the show, a big part of its presence will be the supply of parts and consumables from a number of well-known and reputable industry names, such as Esko, Interflex Laser Engravers, RotoMetrics, Tower Products, Cheshire Anilox Technology, Allison, Applied Chemicals, Rotometal and Konica Minolta. The products and services can be supplied to any printer, regardless of their markets or location.

Power of partnership
MAPP is an exclusive distributor of DuPont plates in North America. It is also a Diamond level distributor for tesa and its largest distributor of tapes worldwide. This relationship is supported by in-house slitting capabilities in the US and Europe, coupled with next-day delivery, which enables MAPP to respond quickly and precisely to the needs of printers large and small. It has also proven to be a boon for the business and its growth ambitions.

Dave Telken, MAPP senior vice president, says, “We have already become a recognized force in the print industry, known for quality of products, service excellence, and competitive pricing. Our relationship with tesa goes back to the beginning of MAPP in 2012 and has grown into an amazing partnership. We plan to continue and grow this around the world. With facilities in California, Missouri and Georgia, and operations in Macclesfield (UK) and Warsaw (Poland), we have a strong base on which to build.”

Flexo is used for printing in almost all packaging applications, meaning there are different demands placed upon mounting tapes depending on the end use. For example, tesa Softprint products are available with different foam hardnesses. This goes from “X-Soft” tapes, which are suitable for very fine process printing and designed to reduce plate bounce, all the way to “Hard” tapes, which are suitable for printing large solids with no pinholes and text images.

Telken’s colleague, Andy Clarke, MAPP European operations director, identifies the tesa relationship as “critically important” to printers. He explains, “While every converter has different equipment and ways of working, there are universal issues that affect every flexo printer, making it important that everyone has access to the right solution for their specific needs. The availability of a wide range of tapes, slit to precisely the right width, is critically important as it means printers can specify consumables that are suited to their exact production environment.”

Telken adds, “It’s important to understand and emphasize that MAPP provides universal consumable supplies. It doesn’t matter what type of printing equipment you own or the manufacturer you work with. Our products represent everything a print shop needs to run its business. We also supply a complete range of consumables – inks, plates, dies and more. We source over 30,000 different products from top-tier manufacturers, ensuring that our customers have access to the highest quality materials to keep their presses running smoothly.

“No two printing businesses are alike. That’s why we offer a wide array of products tailored to meet the unique demands of each customer. From high-performance flexographic and digital printing presses to a full line of consumables, we provide everything needed to maintain and elevate printing operations.”

Next steps
This commitment is to be elevated by the confirmation of additional relationships during Labelexpo Americas 2024. The show will also see the launch of a new private-brand portfolio of products, the MA Print Products Performance Line. The full portfolio is yet to be confirmed but will extend the range and scope of parts printers have access to even further.

A team of technical field staff is then on-hand to support customers with consumables support. “Our relationship with our customers doesn’t end with the sale, it begins there,” states Telken. “We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive support that includes everything from installation and training to ongoing technical assistance. We treat our customers like family and understand the importance of maintaining a good relationship.”

A high level of support and expertise is one part of MAPP’s proposition to the market, which Telken describes as “compelling.” “With decades of experience and a team of industry veterans, we offer unparalleled knowledge and support. From installation to ongoing maintenance, our team is here to support the success of printers every step of the way. Coupled with the supply of quality products that are built to last and ensure superior performance and reliability, MAPP has a compelling offer to the market that should appeal to all and every printer.

“The launch of the MA Print Products Performance Line demonstrates our commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and bringing the latest technologies to our customers,” he concludes.

Clarke, who will be joining Telken and the MAPP team at Labelexpo Americas 2024, emphasizes the importance of the company’s growth and initiatives. “Parts and consumables are an essential part of any print operation. They keep machinery running, make pressrooms more efficient, and ensure the output of quality, saleable work at the end of a printing line. This makes working with a partner that can provide the best products with best-in-class lead times and service, and at the best prices, all-important, whoever and wherever you are.”