Environment-friendly printing plate systems become the standard in Japan
Tokyo, Japan and Mortsel, Belgium, December 14, 2009 -- The Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan announced that the Nippon Export Award was given to Agfa-Gevaert Japan. Every two years the Nippon Export Award goes to the company demonstrating the greatest success in importing, exporting, or distributing products or services with Japan from Belgium or Luxembourg.
"Agfa Gevaert Japan was selected for the Nippon Export award because it was definitely the strongest contender, exceeding the criteria set by the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Japan," said Fabrice Tilot, President of The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan. "Agfa Gevaert Japan has been very successful in turning around the company and change their product offer. They now compete with major Japanese manufacturers, thanks to a unique and eco-friendly product."
''This prestigious award proves that our strategy based on sustainable growth, technological innovation and cost leadership works. Our environment-friendly systems are appreciated by the customers and becoming a reference in the printing industry, even in markets where our competition is traditionally stronger. This opens opportunities," says Stefaan Vanhooren, President of Agfa Graphics.
"Ecology is high on the industry wish list in Japan," says Tim Van den Bossche, Regional President Region Asia. "Agfa Gevaert Japan is proud to be rewarded for our :Azura technology and our presence in the Japanese market."
The 2009 Nippon Export Award ceremony is held on December 14, 2009 at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Tokyo, Japan.
About Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Japan
Since 1978, the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BLCCJ) has developed a more organized presence and visibility for Belgian and Luxembourg business in Japan. The BLCCJ assists both the Belgium/Luxembourg entities interested in doing business with Japan and the Japanese entities interested in doing business with Belgium/Luxembourg. The BLCCJ represents currently the interest of 140 members and is a founding and active member of the European Business Council in Japan (EBC). The BLCCJ is also the co-founder of the YES (Young Executive Stay) program, a biannual 2-week program which is aimed to support young Belgium/Luxembourg exporters.
About Agfa
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world's leading companies in imaging and information technology. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), for the healthcare sector (Agfa Healthcare), and for specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials). Agfa is headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries around the globe. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 3,032 million euros in 2008.
About Agfa Graphics
Agfa Graphics offers integrated pre-print solutions for the printing industry. These solutions include consumables, hardware, software, and services for production workflow, design and colour management. The Company's CtP, CtF and digital proofing systems have positioned it as worldwide leader in the commercial printing and packaging industries as well as newspaper publishing markets.
Agfa Graphics is rapidly expanding its range of products and solutions in the growing digital inkjet market. Its experience in both image technology and emulsions has provided the knowledge necessary to make high-quality systems for UV-curable inks. Partnerships with industry leaders in development and manufacturing have expanded the scope of its technology and permitted the company to develop comprehensive digital solutions for printing posters, banners, signs, displays, labels and packaging materials.
Contact for more info:
Agfa-Gevaert NV
Johan Jacobs
Corporate Press Relations Manager
tel. ++32 (0)3/444.8015
e-mail: johan.jacobs@agfa.com
