Ahmedabad-based Akshar NX Digital is a fast-growing prepress bureau which has seen a major growth in its business since it bought a Kodak Flexcel NX system to service the demand for high quality flexographic plates. The company is now embarking on its next expansion phase and in the coming few months will be spending close to Rs. 5 crore in acquiring new technologies.
“The western region of India is seeing very fast growth in the number of flexo presses being installed. As the footprint of flexo technology expands, the demand for flexo plates too is growing. To cater to this demand, we need to increase our plate-making capacity as well,” says Nikunj Malvania of Akshar NX Digital during an interaction at Labelexpo India 2018.
Malvania says that Akshar NX Digital will be soon opting for a Kodak Flexcel NX Wide system with a maximum plate size of 42 x 60 inches. The larger size facilitates efficient job planning and enables print production efficiencies, he says.
Another important investment that Malvania is planning is that going for a CtP system by either Esko or Xeikon. “We are also planning to buy a CtP system sometime early next year. No concrete decision has been made but we will go for either Esko or Xeikon. Also, we will be opting for DuPont plates,” he informs.
In addition to the above-mentioned equipment, Akshar NX Digital will also be buying a processor, dryer and light finisher.
Once the latest investment phase is over in the next few months, the company’s plate-making capacity will double. “At present our annual production capacity is 5,000 square meters and once we are done with all the investment, our capacity will double. We will be servicing a large gamut of customers in segments such as narrow web, wide web and letter press, among others,” Malvania shares.
Talking about the response at Labelexpo, Malvania says it was very good and he met with a variety of label printers as well as people interested in venturing into label printing business.