Toray Graphics in the Czech Republic, a leading
manufacturer of waterless offset plate technology, today reported that its
partnership with Hydro Aluminum Rolled Products GmbH, a global producer of
aluminum products, has resulted in exceptional quality aluminum coil rolls for
manufacture of Toray waterless offset plates in its Czech Republic facility.
The two companies connected at drupa 2012 when Toray was seeking a second
source of aluminum, and after a due diligence process, Hydro was selected. The
result is a long-term relationship dedicated to delivering superior quality.
“When we first connected with Toray, we didn’t have
much experience with waterless offset plates,” said Kai Huse, Technical
Manager, Product Area Lithography, at Hydro. “We had been producing rolled
aluminum coils for almost everyone in the traditional offset plate business. We
realized that Toray’s requirements for high quality aluminum with a flawless
surface were very high. And when we visited the plant in Prostějov, we were
extremely impressed with how clean and structured their manufacturing operation
was.”
In order to meet the high quality requirements of
Toray, Hydro has added an additional visual inspection step at the end of the
manufacturing process. “We already had both visual and automated quality
control processes in place,” Huse stated. “But the extra visual inspection of
every coil at the end of the manufacturing line ensured that we met Toray’s
stringent quality requirements. Working with Toray has been a great experience,
and I am sure we could learn a lot from each other.
Hydro supplies about 600.000 metric tons of rolled
aluminum products annually from its plant in Grevenbroich, Germany. “The
largest portion of our business comes from the can industry, with polygraphy
being the second largest. We are also pursuing growth in the automotive
industry.”, Huse explained. “Working with Toray has proven to be beneficial to
both our companies and we look forward to continuing this relationship in the
future.”
“We have been extremely pleased with the quality of
rolled aluminum we receive from Hydro,” said Mr. Roman Rumplík, Production
Manager, of Toray. “We know we are demanding, and we appreciate the patience
and dedication Hydro has shown in ensuring we receive the best possible
quality. The surface of our plates must be defect-free, and Hydro has delivered
admirably against that requirement.”
