The Union First to Install Agfa' New Advantage N-SL CTP System
RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ—March 11, 2009—Agfa Graphics announced today that The Union (Grass Valley, CA), a Swift Communications Publication, has become the first newspaper in North America to install the new Advantage N-SL CtP system from Agfa Graphics. The third generation Advantage N-SL builds on the success of previous generations while offering greater affordability, reliability and ease of use. The Union chose Agfa's Advantage N-SL to replace its old film imagesetter, completing Swift's conversion to Agfa CtP at all of its printing facilities.
"We are very pleased with what we see from the Agfa Graphics equipment. We were impressed with the small footprint, automated capabilities and with the prompt, competent professionalism from the service department. The Advantage N-SL install went smoothly and we're seeing excellent results," said Lee Brant, production director, The Union. "It's also very convenient that most issues or questions can be monitored and dealt with remotely saving time and money."
With its unique violet laser imaging system, Advantage N combines speed and reliability for small to mid-size newspaper and coldset web printers. Violet laser diodes provide a lifetime of use with the lowest cost of ownership.
The Advantage N-SL is designed to handle both AgfaGraphics' current N91-V and the new chemistry-free N92-VCF plate. The :Advantage N-SL can image up to 100 plates per hour, features automatic plate loading from a 100-plate stack loader, and offers on-line processing.
The new Advantage N family of platesetters combines the best of all previous generations into four new exciting models, including the manual Advantage N-M and Advantage N-SA, and the automatic plate loading Advantage N-SL and the Advantage N-DL.
About The Union / Swift Communications
The Union (www.theunion.com), a Swift Communications publication, serves Western Nevada County, California. Swift Communications (www.swiftcom.com) owns and operates more than 30 newspapers and portal web sites. Their publishing companies are full service printers providing graphics, layout, printing and distribution services.
According to Jim Hemig, Chief Information Officer at Swift Communications, "We already have Agfa CtP across all our sites and are very satisfied. We knew we wanted to have consistent and reliable production throughout the corporation, so Agfa was our 1st choice when it came to buying more systems."
Swift prints newspapers and tabloids for other publishers, create advertising supplements for local businesses along with several stitch and trim magazines and catalogs, and broadsheet products.
About Agfa
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world's leading imaging and information technology companies. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analog and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), the healthcare sector (Agfa HealthCare) and specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials).
Agfa's headquarters are in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries throughout the world. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 4,500 million dollars in 2007.
About Agfa Graphics
Agfa Graphicsoffers integrated prepress solutions to the printing industry. These solutions comprise consumables, hardware, software and services for production workflow, project and color management. Computer-to-film, computer-to-plate and digital proofing systems have earned Agfa Graphics a worldwide leadership position in the commercial and package printing and the newspaper publishing markets.
Agfa Graphics is rapidly expanding its offerings in the growing digital inkjet market. Its experience in both imaging and emulsion technology has provided the expertise required for making an assortment of high-quality UV and solvent-based inks. Joint development and manufacturing partnerships with industry leaders expand its technological reach and allow the company to develop comprehensive digital solutions for printing posters, banners, signage, displays, labels and packaging materials.
Product and company information can be found on Agfa's home page on the World Wide Web at: www.agfa.com.
