Creo UK is rolling out bundling deals to finance its equipment and expects up to half of its sales to be financed this way in the future.

"The aim is to close more sales, it gets us into new markets," said sales director Mark Nixon. "It suits the B2 market because there is less capital in small companies."

The firm can supply KPG and Mitsubishi plates although Nixon said it was happy to work with other consumables vendors.

Creos salesforce will be trained to set up bundling deals over the next couple of weeks.

The move in the UK follows the US, where the firm signed agreements with Mitsubishi subsidiary Western Lithotech and Spectratech International at Print 01 (PrintWeek, 14 September 2001).

Other countries in Europe will eventually offer bundling with local Creo divisions selecting the plate suppliers they will work with.

"The UK is ahead of Europe in bundling, there are tax issues and companies in the UK dont have the capital," said Nixon.

* Creo UK Midlands sales executive Ken Whild has left the firm. Creo wouldnt comment on what precipitated his departure.

Allan Butcher has joined as sales executive for West Midlands and Western regions. He was southern region sales manager for Bousfields electronic imaging division. His appointment is unrelated to Whilds departure.