Small-format metal CTP from two British manufacturers looks set to storm the market following a huge interest at Drupa.
HighWater, whose 2218 violet model was shown on the Heidelberg stand as the recommended metal platesetter for its Speedmaster 52 and GTO presses, believes it will be selling 250 machines a year worldwide.
Being in the Heidelberg hall was a major coup for us, said marketing manager Sue Woods. The 2218 was received by the Heidelberg sales force as just what theyd been looking for.
Although the machine was shown in Heidelberg colours at Drupa it is currently an approved product and not an OEM deal.
Despite Heidelberg having what Woods described as heavy demand on our production for the 2218 B3 violet machine, she refuted the rumours that all the machines they could make were going to Heidelberg. They havent taken all our production; both B2 and B3 should be available through other channels.
The Synectix-developed Cirrus 2 from ICG also attracted interest, as well as a potential UK market of 75 units a year. It is also set to be the metal platesetter of choice for Ryobi dealers around the world.
ICG general manager Clive Green commented: At Drupa we had a heck of a lot of interest. Small-format CTP is very much in competition with digital print and needs the quality of metal plates.
In the UK the Cirrus 2 will be distributed by Apex Digital Graphics, which is already a leading supplier of polyester CTP with 150 Purup-Eskofot systems out in the field. Joint managing director Bob Usher said: We are extremely strong in CTP, but there is always a need for metal some users demand the dimensional stability of metal plates.
Apex and UK Ryobi distributor Ry-Offset have already begun showing the Cirrus 2 at a series of roadshows around the UK.
The Cirrus 2 is about to go into its first beta site and will ship in volume from September.
HighWater boasts seven UK installations of the 2218.
Story by Barney Cox