Rock-Tenn Dotrix Partner to Revolutionize Digital Inkjet for Packaging and Display

Published: August 20, 2004, By PRESS RELEASE

NORCROSS, GA, USA & GENT, BELGIUM— Rock-Tenn Company and Dotrix NV have announced a strategic partnership "leading to the first high-speed, wide-web, digital inkjet solution in North America," reports a Dotrix press release. "Under the partnership agreement, Rock-Tenn has not only agreed to purchase equipment, but will work with Dotrix to help define inkjet technology developments for the packaging and display industries," says the Belgium-based company.

Says Rock-Tenn CEO Jim Rubright, "Today the Dotrix technology is the most advanced digital printing solution for our industry. The Dotrix wide-web, digital printing equipment gives us the high-speed, cost-effective, production-grade digital solution to provide our customers a competitive advantage.”

According to Dotrix, with years of digital-print experience in the security, label, and decorative industry, its the.factory (pronounced the-dot-factory) inkjet digital press is the company’s initial offering for the packaging and display arenas; Rock-Tenn is the first U.S. company to purchase the revolutionary the.factory solution.

Explains Dotrix CEO Rob Haak, “Rock-Tenn has played an active role in defining the specifications and requirements for the North American market. Rock-Tenn’s knowledge and vision of packaging and display markets' needs makes them a perfect partner for us to develop fully integrated, dedicated digital printing solutions based on dotrix’s advanced inkjet technology.”

Dotrix says Rock-Tenn believes this technology has commercial applications across a number of its business units. "Acquiring the.factory technology will provide consumer products companies the flexibility to customize in-store advertising by region or by retailer at an affordable price and a short lead time. This equipment will deliver short runs or long runs that require variable copy or graphics," reports Jim Einstein, EVP of Rock-Tenn’s Alliance Division that specializes in point-of-purchase display and promotional packaging solutions.

“Most digital printing technologies have had trouble handling our thicker paperboard substrates," adds Nick George, EVP of the Folding Carton Division. "The unique, non-contact printing technology of the.factory addresses this concern.”

According to the press release, Rock-Tenn determined the.factory was the most productive digital technology available. This digital solution will support short-run, production-quality, and digital printing vital for variable data, versioning, beta tests, and comprehensive mock-ups. “Similar to our pioneering investment in computer-to-plate in the mid-90s," says Rock-Tenn's Rubright, "this strategic move demonstrates our commitment to the digital frontier."

Learn more about Rock-Tenn at rocktenn.com. Visit Dotrix at dotrix.be.