5 July 2006
After its first six months of trading, a&o imaging services has been able to confirm that the demand for Agfa-branded photochemistry is as strong as ever, and now comes with a host of add-on benefits.
While Agfa-branded photochemistry has continued to be the product of choice for retail minilabs and other users of Agfa minilab systems, the supply has never faltered. Supplies now being shipped are all fresh photochemistry produced under the aegis of a&o imaging services since the company took over the AgfaPhoto chemical plant in Germany along with its Service and Minilab Spare Parts divisions.
The company also acquired the plant's staff of highly experienced photochemistry experts, its R&D division, rights to use the Agfa name for chemistry products, and the highly regarded formulae which have kept this range of photochemistry at the forefront of the global industry.
The strong reception and success being enjoyed by a&o flies in the face of rumours put about by some rival photochemistry manufacturers that the company was simply shipping out existing stock and would not be manufacturing new product. In fact, production has never stopped, even through the takeover process, and all market sectors are now fully supplied with the complete range of Agfa photochemistry, as well as chemistry for other brands of minilabs.
In the UK, a&o has appointed the Tudor division of SPS Logistics (tel: 0800 316 8118) to handle distribution of Agfa photochemistry to the minilab sector.
The comprehensive range includes:
The 'plug in' Agfa Easy chemical box for the Agfa d-lab.1, d-lab.2, d-lab.2 plus and FP210 minilabs
The dedicated d-lab.3 chemicals for the Agfa d-lab.3, MSC 200, and MSC 300 minilabs
The dedicated MSC chemicals for the Agfa MSC 100 and 101 minilabs
Processes AP72 and AP94 for older 'open' C41B-NP and RA4 minilabs
Consistency, stability of process, clean running, and a formulation which does not cut corners are key aspects of a&o's Agfa Photochemical range, all designed and manufactured by the people who know and will service Agfa minilabs, and backed in the UK by the Labcheck technical applications team which customers have always known and loved.
'he reactions of previous AgfaPhoto customers has been highly encouraging,'says a&o managing director Chris Gould. 'any customers have returned to Agfa photochemicals having been tempted to try 'alternatives' from various competitors. They tell us that there is far higher value - not to mention greater confidence - in using the correct original formulations designed by the people who built their machines, and know how to service them and set them up.
'e all know it's tough out there in the world of minilabs. However, as a multiple service provider, a&o offers the most trouble-free chemicals on the market, along with expert technical backup, equipment service, and a host of other services, all of which give owners real peace of mind.
'he outstanding processing performance and continuity of supply gives minilab operators the freedom to concentrate on the most crucial task of all: building their businesses, while keeping their customers happy and coming back for more.'
For full details of the range of Agfa photochemistry and other products and services provided by a&o imaging services, telephone 0845 606 6084, email: ukordermanagement@ao-imaging-services.com or visit www.ao-imaging.com