Francis Whiteley · Managing Director · FLEX4 OPS · The Print Show 2025
Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show in Birmingham, this time catching up with Francis Wy from Flex4 OPS. The two have known each other for many years, and Francis shares insights about his company’s web-to-print solutions. Based in Kendal, Francis explains how Flex4 OPS supports both public e-commerce sites and private storefronts, allowing printers to sell online for the first time or update existing sites. Their print price engine is designed to handle a wide range of print permutations in-house, while also integrating outsourced products to create a one-stop shop for customers.
Integration is a key part of what Flex4 OPS offers. Each integration is custom-built to work with various APIs, always with the goal of moving data efficiently downstream, saving time, and reducing the need for manual rekeying. Francis points out that many printers still rely on email orders and manual input, but he sees a growing shift towards web-to-print adoption. Some printers use it to sell directly online, while others use it to showcase their catalog, generate inquiries, and then process quotes and orders through the system.
Flex4 OPS also supports upfront payment collection and customer-driven data entry, further reducing administrative work. While some companies link pricing directly to their MIS, many still rely on spreadsheets, which can be easily uploaded into the Flex4 OPS platform. Looking ahead, Francis sees opportunities for expanded estimating functionality, giving printers even more control over pricing and automation.
He emphasizes that automation is the future of print, and even small steps, such as replacing manual artwork saving with hot folder integration, can make a significant difference. Though it takes time and effort to set up correctly, once in place, these systems can become a powerful driver of business growth.
A thoughtful discussion about the role of web-to-print, integration, and automation in the printing industry today, recorded live from the NEC in Birmingham.
Sun September 28th
Chuck Schneider · CEO · Amtech Software ...
Morten from INKISH is at Labelexpo in Barcelona and sits down with Chuck, CEO of Amtech Software. Amtech is well-known in the industry for its Label Traxx solution, serving converters worldwide. Chuck explains that Amtech is a 44-year-old software company operating in 43 countries, supporting over 1,200 plants across four key packaging segments: corrugated, folding carton, flexible packaging, and labels. Two years ago, Amtech acquired Label Traxx to strengthen its presence in the labels market, making Labelexpo a key event for connecting with partners and customers. Chuck shares that Amtech was recently acquired by Vista Equity Partners, one of the world’s largest software-focused private equity firms with over $100 billion in assets. Vista’s investment provides strong financial backing and deep software expertise, enabling Amtech to accelerate growth, migrate its portfolio to cloud-native platforms, and integrate artificial intelligence into its products. Vista evaluates each company with an annual AI maturity score, ensuring continuous innovation and alignment with cutting-edge technologies. Through Vista’s extensive network of software companies, Amtech benefits from shared knowledge, best practices, and access to proven tools—speeding up time-to-market and improving product quality. While Amtech already has a dominant presence in the U.S., the new investment aims to balance its footprint by expanding in Europe. Over the next 12 months, the company will hire around 50 people across EMEA in sales, support, services, and product development, ensuring closer, localized service for customers. Chuck emphasizes the importance of proximity, multilingual support, and local partnerships to meet regional needs effectively. He also notes that Vista’s funding allows Amtech to modernize its user interfaces, enhance mobility, and deliver cloud-first solutions that match the expectations of a new generation of users. The company’s strategy remains tightly focused on packaging, with a vision to be the global leader in technology and software for the packaging industry—backed by continuous product investment and customer trust. Discussing competition, Chuck says Amtech is confident in its product capabilities but differentiates itself through service, support, and long-term relationships. Many of their customers have stayed with them for decades, drawn by the company’s reliability and customer-centric approach. Reflecting on Labelexpo, Chuck describes it as a great success—an opportunity to meet new customers, build partnerships, and reconnect with industry peers. For him, the show feels like a “family reunion” where European and American teams come together to drive the industry forward. A conversation about innovation, global growth, and customer trust from one of the software leaders powering the packaging industry, recorded live at Labelexpo in Barcelona.