Lüscher, Swiss manufacturer of CTP systems, has reached an agreement to acquire all the assets of UK-based ZED Instruments from The Moore Company. The purchase hails the arrival of Lüscher in flexographic prepress after generating success in the traditional offset market.
Hans Lüscher, Lüscher proprietor, says, "As ZED Instruments develop and manufacture direct laser ablation technologies for the flexo, dry-offset and letterpress sectors, their products seamlessly complement ours in the pre-press sector".
Lars Janneryd, Lüscher AG Board of Directors member, says, "With the direct ablation flexo process of ZED and the mask imaging process of Lüscher, we close the loop and are able to offer a complete solution to all flexo printers and trade houses."
ZED has now been fully integrated in the Lüscher group under the name Lüscher Flexo and will operate from new premises in Thame, 65km west of London – under the direction of the present managing director, Bruce Knox, supported by the existing staff.
The first product launch will be FlexPose! Direct, a sealed CO2 laser system for direct ablation, which builds on the success of the ZEDMini and incorporates significant improvements.
In addition, Lüscher will launch at drupa its own digital FlexPose! imaging system based on internal drum technology, which will image the mask layer of a new type of digital polymer plates.
While Lüscher’s offset CTP products are represented in Australia by Ferag Australia, handling of the company’s flexo equipment will be taken care of by AV Flex, which formerly held the contract for ZED Instruments in Australia.
