Miraclon is celebrating its first anniversary this month since it began trading with a dedicated focus on flexo, with its CEO Chris Payne saying it may be a time of upheaval but it’s “important to celebrate the good things”.

“We’ve done it. We’ve hit our first birthday. And despite the fact that this anniversary couldn’t have fallen at a stranger time, we have to remember to mark our achievements. Especially now, in the face of change and uncertainty, coming together to salute successes can work wonders for wellbeing and morale,” he said.

“We’re hugely proud of the Kodak FLEXCEL NX technology our people have been developing and innovating over the last decade – helping our customers to transform their businesses.

“We’re also lucky to be part of an industry we’re passionate about, and a professional community we admire, with whom we share so much in common.

“We’re fortunate that we’ve been able to channel that passion, admiration and energy into building a brand new company with newfound agility and ambition, a company through which we can join with our customers and partners in a singular task: transforming flexo.”

Payne said he is humbled by the innovation and inventiveness of customers that have been willing to go the extra mile in the current challenging circumstances, and finding ways of making a difference in the worldwide battle against COVID-19.

“[This includes] iFlexo in Colombia, making surgical masks from FLEXCEL NX plate cover film and asking the rest of the customers in the region to send them their cover film waste so they can produce more. And Inflex, in Santiago, Chile, also making masks from FLEXCEL NX plate cover film and donating them to a local hospital in the city. We owe these individuals our gratitude and so much more,” he said.

“Although at times it can feel counter-intuitive, we’re still celebrating. Celebrating the trust our customers have invested in our team over the last decade to get us to the point where we could create Miraclon.

“Celebrating the depth of shared history we have, united by a product that defines the cutting edge of its industry. And celebrating the fact that we’re able to work in the knowledge that our imaging science will continue to drive quality for our customers, benefiting their businesses and helping them to achieve incredible things.”

Since its transition, the company said it is supplying more plates to customers that continue to build volume and new business with clients.

“We continued to install our FLEXCEL NX Systems in every region of the world, and our new plate manufacturing line in Oklahoma went live. We held our inaugural Global Flexo Innovation Awards, honouring 12 companies from around the world, and welcomed more than 60 new employees to the team,” he said.

“We had our first public appearance as a company at LabelExpo in Brussels… and we’re looking forward to a time when we can do that again, and have our sights firmly set on drupa 2021.”

The company also provided an update to its operations through COVID-19, with its chief marketing officer Emma Schlotthauer saying that the company has been committed to minimising the disruption of supply as much as possible and set up a task force to monitor the situation and develop contingency plans in the very early stages of the outbreak.

“Our products – flexographic plates and equipment – enable our customers to fulfil what is classified in this time as ‘essential business’, and includes printed packaging for food, beverage, healthcare and other consumer products. They are busier than ever to fulfil demand and we’re working closely with them to ensure consistent supply in the weeks and months to come,” she said.

“In order to support and reassure our customers, we’re focused on adding significant stock to our local warehouses and increasing production of FLEXCEL NX product lines in our factories so that we are in the best possible position to provide an uninterrupted supply of products where and when it’s needed.

“Alongside this, our technical teams remain mobilised to offer the support needed to keep our customers platemaking and print operations running smoothly. We’re providing remote equipment support through secure device access.

“Now, more than ever, the shift that we’ve seen over the past ten years in flexo from a ‘craft’ to a true manufacturing process is paying real dividends – and we’re more committed than ever to supporting the users of our KODAK FLEXCEL Solutions as they continue that journey.”

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