Coast to Coast - June 2011
Proteus Packaging Adds Heidelberg Diecutter
KENNESAW, Ga.—After becoming the first U.S. company to purchase and install a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 145 VLF press in 2009, folding carton converter Proteus Packaging is adding a 57˝ Dymatrix 145 diecutter with Heidelberg Logistics to its arsenal.
Privately owned Proteus Packaging has an 80-year history of folding carton innovation as a tier-two supplier to the pharmaceutical, nutritional, health and beauty, and automotive industries.
"We installed the Dymatrix because of the sheet size and to add to our diecutting capacity," said Tim Wayman, executive VP and CEO. "Our industry is always about matching size. We always knew we would add 57˝ diecutting once the VLF was up and running. The Speedmaster XL 145 gave us more sheets/hour while increasing our overall throughput. The combination of the XL145 and the 145 CSB will give us more blanks per sheet at a higher rate of speed."
Citing consistent year-to-year growth and the prospect for more of the same, Wayman believes that a strategy of acquiring best available technology is critical for a company like Proteus, given mounting competitive pressure from other converters, commercial printers, and trade finishers eager to gain a foothold or expand their presence in the folding carton market.
Martin Splicer for Keller Crescent
GREENSBORO, N.C.—Keller Crescent has installed an ECP splicer from Martin Automatic. The splicer provides non-stop unwinding to a new Muller Martini Alprinta offset press. The new press and splicer are used to print literature for pharmaceutical packaging.
Keller Crescent runs Martin splicing equipment at its other U.S. facilities, but this is the first splicer for the Greensboro plant. "We chose the Martin splicer on the recommendation of the press supplier that it was the right machine for the work we need to do," reports Jimmy James, press manager.
PENNSYLVANIA
OAKS—Global Packaging has installed AVT's PrintVision/Jupiter Automatic Defect Detection Solution on its new PCMC Fusion press. Tim Rooney, technical director for Global Packaging, said, "Our goal is to provide our operators with all the tools available to enable them to produce quality products in a timely fashion. One of the main advantages of the AVT system is that makereadies are much faster."
ILLINOIS
ELK GROVE VILLAGE— International Label & Printing Co. installed a 13˝ Nilpeter FA-3 combination digital/UV flexographic press. The machine contains three UV flexo units in addition to a Caslon 4-color digital module—all in-line, providing the company with numerous printing options.
"This press will allow us to better serve our customers with digital quality and the flexibility of multiple-version, medium/short-run capabilities that only digital printing can provide," said Tony Dardano, executive vice president/sales and marketing for the company.
CAROL STREAM—Packaging Personified, Inc. has selected Flexotecnica S.p.A. to supply a new 8-color XG press. The new XG press will allow the company to significantly increase both quality and production at its headquarters here.
OHIO
COLUMBUS—Agfa Graphics announced that Nutis Press, Inc. has purchased a :M-Press TIGER, a high-speed, UV flatbed inkjet press. With this addition, the company will be able to provide high-speed versioning for its customers, which include many of North America's most recognized brands in the luxury retail and point-of-sale categories.
"The speed and quality of the Agfa :M-Press TIGER will greatly enhance the Nutis Press digital capability," said Tom Jasper, vice president of production at Nutis. "More and more, our customers are demanding shorter runs and sometimes with same-day turnaround."
CANADA
ANJOU, Quebec—Netpak Packaging Inc., a Canadian packaging and commercial printer, is enhancing its speed, turnaround, and quality control with a new KBA Rapida 106 41-inch 6-color sheetfed press. The press was sold in cooperation with KBR Graphics Ltd., the central and eastern Canadian distributor for KBA North America.
"Netpak's deliberate intention is to serve both packaging and commercial customers that require small- to medium-size run lengths with the capacity to do larger runs," says Daniel Filion, Netpak's marketing director. "We pride ourselves on offering a very short lead time and delivering a high-quality product"
The firm serves a mix of 60 percent packaging work and 40 percent commercial work to customers in eastern Canada, as well as the U.S., Europe, and Israel. pP
We want to hear from you! And, so do your peers. Send us your equipment installation, plant installation, and other newsworthy items to: Coast to Coast Editor, c/o packagePRINTING, 1500 Spring Garden St., 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Email: tpolischuk@napco.com.
