AB Dick has signed an exclusive UK distributorship deal with Japanese press manufacturer Hamada, giving it its first foothold in the SRA3 landscape press market.


Hamada's two-, four- and five-colour presses were previously distributed by AMI Technology, which went into receivership at the end of last year (PrintWeek, 1 December).


AB Dick UK sales and marketing director Ray Hillhouse said the firm would aim to bundle the Hamadas with its DPM digital platemakers, as it does with its own-brand portrait presses.


"We've been very successful in CTP but for many installations we weren't able to supply the right press," said Hillhouse. "This gives us an amazing opportunity to go back to those customers and offer more plate and press packages", he added.


Demonstration Hamada presses should be up and running at AB Dick's regional offices in Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol in the next three to four weeks, and AB Dick service technicians have been booked to attend Hamada training courses.


The deal, finalised last weekend, is the first between AB Dick and Hamada and may lead to more in other countries, said Hillhouse.


Hamada general manager sheetfed sales Mr Shirakura claimed AB Dick was "well equipped to expand our customer base".


Hillhouse also revealed that AB Dick is planning to unveil a new platesetter at Northprint (Harrogate, 24-26 April) and promised further details soon.


Story by Lauretta Roberts