Carl Ostermann Erben GmBH (COE) is one of Germany's leading reprographics companies, providing pre-press services alongside the manufacturing of high-quality plates and sleeves.

Run by the 5^th generation of the founding family, COE celebrates its 130^th anniversary in 2021. COE employs a team of 60 experienced employees across two sites: Bremen and Stuttgart.

Its customers, brand owners, and flexographic printers can expect solutions and services for the most demanding print challenges. COE boasts the capacity to create unusual designs and complete orders at short notice, a one-stop solution – just in time.

Since discovering Bellissima, COE was keen to understand how the technology could work for them, explains Torben Segelken, part of the management team at COE, "When Bellissima came to our attention, we were curious about the results that we could achieve. Once we started using it, we were impressed with the resulting quality; one that hasn't been seen in flexographic printing before."

For COE, the benefits have been prevalent ever since. "As a result of the successful implementation of Bellissima, it has become a real door opener for us when approaching new customers. We have been able to win new contracts by providing cost-effective solutions with stunning flexo print results!"

Return on investment was one of the main drivers that led COE to search for new ways of conducting business, explains Torben. "We were looking for alternative plate-making solutions; we realized that we were annually investing in new plates, new equipment, but had failed to find a technology breakthrough which was strong enough in its results to warrant the investment levels."

Additionally, COE was keen to stand out and offer exclusive results in the German market. "When we saw the initial print results from Bellissima, we were impressed and knew that we had found something special which would set us apart from our competitors - this was exciting for everyone involved."

Since offering Bellissima to customers, COE has helped its customers achieve great success. As Torben explains, "One of our customers, a label printer, successfully converted a job for a well-known brand owner from offset to flexo, using Bellissima DMS."

"The printer had approached us looking to reduce costs, in particular, make-ready waste – the printer created approximately 800 meters waste in offset and was able to reduce this to approx. 150 meters in flexo by using Bellissima. The printer was very happy with the resulting cost savings and its new business opportunity to offer customers a flexo solution that matches offset print quality."

"Brand owners are particularly impressed with the print results; they appreciate the advances in flexo that Bellissima has enabled (350-450 lpi equivalent) - rivaling offset and gravure quality but at the lower price point of flexo."

One of COE's customers, a narrow web label printer using Bellissima, lost a high-value label contract as they could not compete with a competitor supplier's prices.

The competitor went on press with the job. On the day of the print run, the brand owner attended to approve the results. The resulting print was poor; details were missing; there were visible 'dirty 'rosettes, moiré, and the reverse text was illegible at small point sizes. The brand owner rejected the job as they were accustomed to the Ultra High-Definition print quality of Bellissima.

"Negotiations reopened between the brand owner and COE's customer. In a much stronger position, the printer was able to successfully renegotiate the contract, which is a great result for everyone," comments Torben.

Customers are actively requesting Bellissima for their jobs, and it seems that this is only the start of this successful partnership.

"We heard about Bellissima - and immediately asked COE about it," says Phillip Hitpaß, Managing Director of System Print Hitpaß GmbH.

"We are confident that our investment in Bellissima is paying off; the plates are very stable over long runs. Our customers trust us to produce reliable plates consistently and advise them on solutions that reduce costs and address their business challenges."

"The COE team is excited to be at the forefront of shaping the future of flexo and leading these changes in Germany." Concludes Torben.