As a result of the deal the firm has also expanded its product range to cover all CTP from B3 to VLF. Sales manager Dianne Moralee said the move to Screen added "a few more strings to our bow" and had been a "catalyst for a bit of a rethink".

Under the terms of its arrangement with Creo NCS could never sell VLF platesetters, although it was a market it knew well. Moralee added that the firm already had some leads for VLF.

"NCS is familiar with VLF customers, one of the attractions of the firm was that it works with bigger printers like those in the PrintWeek Top 500," said Screen UK managing director Brian Filler. "NCS will be a good partner."

NCS will sell the complete Screen CTP range from the B3 and B2 violet diode Micras, thermal PlateRites in B2, B1 and VLF along with the Trueflow workflow.

NCS added that Screen products would allow it to be more competitive on price.

Moralee also said that the deal with Screen could allow it to have a second stab at the DI market with the new TruePress 344 DI.

Filler said that Screen would consider dealer sales for the TruePress once it had "got some in on our own, until then no dealers have been made any promises".

NCS had been involved with KBA and the Karat 46 before, but the deal ended when KBA and AB Dick joined forces last year.

In August NCS was told that it would cease to be a Creo dealer from the beginning of November. See earlier story here.

Story by Barney Cox