First Graphics recently hosted one of its important overseas connections, Markus Winter of Folex Imaging. He is the area sales and marketing manager for Eastern Europe, Latin America, Iberia and Africa. Folex Imaging is a worldwide manufacturer of specialised films and papers with global sales exceeding 100 million Swiss Francs annually (about R670 million).

In its modern form, the company was established in 1951 in Schwyz, Switzerland as Celfa AG, a producer of film base for Adox. Adox was the first manufacturer of films and cameras in Germany. In 1957 the company Folex AG was established in Zurich to promote the distribution of new products. Additional branches of Folex followed in Europe, USA and Japan. Winter's association with First Graphics is in the wide format arena, First Graphics being southern Africa's sole importers of Encad wide format digital printers and all associated products.

Winter is enthusiastic about his relationship with First Graphics. "We have been associated with First Graphics on the wide format side of the business for four years now. They distribute our Folex branded large format ink jet products and in this regard are our sole distributors in South Africa. We are really proud and happy to work with First Graphics - they are a great company to work with - a huge help!"

Winter liases mainly with Eric Morgan, who has personally dealt with Folex for over 10 years. Winter reports that Folex aims to be the number one provider in the indoor/thermal inkjet market as far as film and paper is concerned within the next two years. "First Graphics is already helping us in this regard by adding more and more of our products to the local assortment and helping us increase turnover."

Morgan corroborates this: "Working together, Folex and First Graphics can certainly achieve this goal. We have increased our advertising of Folex products and the fact that we are the sole local supplier. In addition, over the past year we've also taken on extra sales staff to take Folex directly into the market - in this period we have more than doubled our consumables sales staff."

In terms of new products, IPEX 2002 saw Folex launching their new universal photo paper for piezo machines which are available through First Graphics.

For more information: First Graphics, 011 799 3800, fgraphic@iafrica.com