Hull-based packaging pre-press and print company The Springfield Group is rebranding under its parent company Fort Dearborn's name this summer.


The move is a response to the increasingly global market for packaging and the company's push into European markets as its American customers ask it to oversee their European markets.


"The name change will enable us to promote our global strengths while retaining the high levels of local service and support our European-based customers' demand," said Jonathan Levy, vice president of sales and marketing for Europe.


"I hope that this sends a clear message that we intend to be a major player in digital graphics and print management for the global packaging industry."


Springfield has regional service agents throughout Europe, including in Barcelona, Hamburg and Paris. Pre-press, including asset management and the preparation of jobs using its six-colour Hi-Colour process, is carried out in Hull to supply to around 40 printers in Europe. The firm's strategy is not to expand its print facilities outside the US.


The company is seeing its business grow as it takes on extra work, including 3D design, and gets more involved in the whole packaging supply chain.


"The objective of customers is to optimise their supply chain and drive costs down," said Levy.
"We work with our customers to improve processes. It's moving from a situation where suppliers compete with suppliers to one where supply chain competes with supply chain."


Story by Barney Cox