The company, which is the UK presence of the large-format business, also has sites in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

Part of parent business Diatec Group, Sihl announced that it was "the world’s number one inkjet media coating company" at the event, held at its Altrincham UK base last Wednesday (23 May).

Sihl managing director Heiner Kayser, who attended the open house, said: "We have grown steadily and solidly and now provide media for most of the major printer manufacturers throughout the world.

"However, most of this work is under OEM agreements and in order to continue growing the company as we would like to; we need to establish the Sihl brand to a wide consumer audience."

Sihl Direct UK, which holds approximately 20% of the company's product range including inkjet photo papers, banners, roll-up films and imaging papers, said that the amount accounted for 80% of its turnover.

"Our objective is to supply Sihl manufactured and branded media, in a timely and cost effective manner, through both selected partners and directly to the end user," said Sihl Direct UK operations director Ian Turnbull.

He added: "We have two very distinct price points for end users and for resellers and can offer very rapid delivery either straight from here in Altrincham or through the international distribution chain.

"We know that end users and even some resellers don’t want to be tying up much needed capital by stocking media. We will work with customers to ensure we hold what they need and can get it to them as soon as they need it."

According to Kayser, Sihl Direct, which is backed by manufacturing operations in Germany and Switzerland, is well-placed to grow in the UK market.

"I am sure we manufacture the widest range of media to be found anywhere in the world and have an in-house research and development operation that is second to none," he added.

In March, Sihl Direct launched the substrate Clara Beneficial, which is a blend of 78% cotton and 22% polyester, intended to be used for domestic and commercial art reproduction to the UK market.

The company has also relaunched its website, which can be visited at www.sihl-direct.co.uk.

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