Drytac acquires Advanced Finishing Solutions

The US-based Drytac Corporation – a manufacturer and distributor of mounting, laminating, framing and finishing materials and euipments, as well as hot presses and accessories – has recently announced the acquisition of Advanced Finishing Solutions (AFS), an OEM provider and distributor of aqueous/UV-curable coating machines and liquid coatings. This strategic move will position Drytac to leverage the growing demand for liquid laminating among users of flatbed inkjet printers, digital print-ondemand presses and photo printers and fine art studios.

Advanced Finishing Solutions offers an extensive line of aqueous and UV coating equipment, with formats ranging from 3.2 M (10.5 ft) down to models the size of a copy machine. The company markets its products under such trade names as VERSA-Coater, PhotoMate, PressMaste and DocuMate UV, Cyclone UV, AFC Liquid Coaters, ENDURACoat and INSTACure liquid coatings. As the world’s largest manufacturer of dry mounting tissues and heatset overlaminating films, Drytac is well positioned to further increase the visibility of the AFS brand in Asia as well. As per Marc Oosterhuis, president of the Drytac Group, “The liquid coater line enhances our position as a one stop post print finishing resource for the graphics and display markets. It will also allow us to expand into markets such as screen printing and on-demand printing.” Jim Tatum, founder and former owner of AFS, who will continue to head up the liquid products division for Drytac, added, “This move allows us to maintain our current level of customer service as Drytac’s global infrastructure extends our geographic reach.”