LONDON, ON—Autumn Graphics, an independent, privately-owned Canadian outfit, is expanding with a new U.S. operation in Northwest Arkansas called Autumn Graphics U.S.

The company's expansion aims to better service its existing American client base, and push its growth as an international supplier to the packaging market. Operations manager Joe Mulller will head the production team.

The new facility will use a Kodak Flexcel NX Wide system, the company's third device from that line. The installation follows Autumn Graphics' first Flexcel NX system implemented at the Ontario homebase in 2008, and the addition of a Flexcel NX Wide system in 2010. Kodak notes that Autumn Graphics was one of the earliest adopters of the technology.

"The flexo technology from Kodak has been a real cornerstone of our operation," said Ben Abray, Autumn Graphics president, in a release. "We've built a very dynamic, differentiated business that includes the ability of the Flexcel NX system to drive significant on-press production efficiencies and a level of quality that is unsurpassed."

The new system includes a Flexcel NX Wide-C imager, which enables a maximum plate size of 42" x 60".

Autumn Graphics, founded in 1982, provides pre-media, plate production and graphics management services to consumer product companies, converters, printers and ad agencies. It stepped into flexo CTP production in 2003 with the installation of a Creo Thermoflex machine and DuPont Thermal Plate technology.