An Interview with Hakan Pfeiffer, Bobst’s Folder-Gluer Product Line Manager

How do you see your product line today?
In the last ten years we launched the first generations of the Alpina (1998), Pacific (2001), Mistral (2004) and Fuego (2004) lines. Customers who purchased the Alpina quickly realized that we had taken significant steps in simplifying the controls of the folder-gluer while, at the same time, improving productivity. Set-up times were reduced and production speeds were increased, while maintaining the reliability of the machine and the quality of the folded and glued product. Every model in Bobst’s folder-gluer product line has now benefited from this same approach. Our more than sixty years of experience in the development of folder-gluers has enabled us to determine three important themes: special requests from our customers, which we term “specialties;” peripherals; and training.

What do these “specialties” mean to you?
Our custom-made versions allow us to adapt our products to the specific needs of our customers, enabling them to gain productivity benefits or produce complex and innovative high added-value packaging. Custom requests have become popular and we have a dedicated team specialized in this task. This team’s extensive knowledge enables us to create and supply over half of the 700 requests for specialties that we receive every year. Our “specialties” service enables us to have an open door to the packaging market. In certain cases, we take a more global approach to a ‘specialty’ project.

What do you have to consider when developing peripherals?
Peripherals are designed to support the operations of a conversion shop. Our customers seek to utilize their folder-gluers to the maximum level possible for all types of production volume. Our peripheral equipment is simple to use and gives users increased running speeds and a reduction in production stoppages, despite practically identical change-over times. Operators can concentrate on production quality. Each type of production has its own suitable peripherals. For long runs, they are likely to be highly automated such as a batch inverter, Easyfeeder GT prefeeder and, at the end of the line, a Cartonpack GT for the collection of the glued boxes. The Cartonpack GT version premiered at IPEX 2006 included a system for the regular taking of samples, typical of our “intelligent” peripherals. Companies that specialized in pharmaceutical packaging, for example, immediately saw the benefits of the unit. As for peripherals such as the Handypack GT, semi-automatic packer, this was developed to handle lines which fold and glue a varied mix of products where the requirements of speed and automation are, of course, different.

What do you mean by training in the context of your product line?
Although set-up is easy on our machines, the machine operator continues to play a significant role in the correct operation of a folder-gluer line. They require a special touch which is not easily acquired, so training is a key element in the development of our services. There is huge variety among the boxes produced in today’s market, so proper training is essential. Bobst places considerable effort into the development of “process” knowledge among our teams and we can pass this onto our customers. We place special emphasis on training our own Bobst engineering apprentices in our training and demonstration center. We also regularly re-examine our customer training courses related to “process” and we are currently promoting our courses in new markets based on market information from our local personnel. Our goal has always been to help our customers obtain the maximum production out of their line so we can give them the best possible return on their investment.