The Label Printers Invests in Four Systems to Increase Capacity

AURORA, IL—July 10, 2012—The Label Printers’ investments in an HP Indigo WS6600 digital press, Domino K600i UV inkjet system, AB Graphics Omega HSR1300 inspection slitter rewinder, and DuPont EC/LF 1000 exposure unit will give the company increased manufacturing capability, capacity and quality control, while at the same time, contributing to the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact.

Bill Kane, CEO, said, “We have to do this for our customers. We have to keep up with today’s changing digital marketplace. Our manufacturing operation is a ‘well-oiled machine,’ and we need to continue to invest to keep it that way—to control costs and to avoid falling behind in capacity, capability and expertise.”

In 2006, The Label Printers purchased its first digital press, an HP Indigo 4050. Since that time, the evolution in digital presses has continued, so The Label Printers management decided that it was time to upgrade its digital capability and increase capacity.

Joe Kane, prepress manager, states, “The new [WS6600] digital press improves our color “management”—it is now more predictable and repeatable. It also increases our capacity, as the print area is wider and the repeat is longer—with the added benefit of giving us multiple manufacturing options for most orders, which can translate into better service for our customers.”

In 2011, The Label Printers switched its plateroom technology from analog to digital by investing in “scalable” system. The company’s newest investment in the DuPont exposure unit offers improved consistency and will prepare the prepress operation for future upgrades to improved technologies.

In addition to process improvements from the new equipment, Joe Kane also points out, “Each upgrade in our plateroom equipment from old analog technology to new digital technology creates a corresponding improvement in our sustainability efforts.”

Domino’s UV inkjet system was purchased to give the company additional capacity for consecutive numbering, QR codes, and other variable imaging requirements. The new system represents a significant improvement in resolution (and therefore quality and/or capability), which is critical for small size images.

The Label Printers has, over a period of nearly 15 years, been building and expanding its manufacturing and knowledge base in anti-counterfeiting technologies. This track record of experience in the fast-changing brand protection market has allowed the company to develop strength and expertise in a broad array of variable imaging technologies. The new inkjet system allows The Label Printers to keep pace with customers’ needs for track-and-trace types of system options.

Tom Erickson, plant superintendent, was part of the team that brought this investment option to management. “Certain features of our old inkjet system created a time consuming process, and a potential quality issue. The new Domino system gives us a smoother operation, with less down time. From a manufacturing perspective, it improves our product quality and gives our press operators better control of the process.”

Lori Campbell, chief of operations, adds, “I am ecstatic to work for an organization that doesn’t preach ‘continuous improvement’ as a worn-out sales pitch, but actively pursues it...and backs it up by making these well-considered investments. I am very proud of our teams for their dedicated research and recommendations. We know exactly what each of these purchases will provide in terms of quality, efficiency, sustainability, and most importantly, alignment with our customers’ needs.”

Bill Kane believes that these investments point to the long term strength of the company. “We have managed the company to be able to make these [continued equipment] acquisitions, so that we can better serve our customers and position ourselves for managed growth.”

About The Label Printers
The Label Printers, Aurora, IL, started in business in 1967, manufacturing simple label constructions in a 1,000 square foot space, with 1 employee, serving the local Chicago market. Today, the company has evolved into one of the 100 largest converters in the United States. The Label Printers owns and operates two facilities in Aurora, Illinois, manufacturing and distributing labels and packaging products to thousands of customers in 25 countries around the world. The company’s packaging products are certified to ISO 9001 standards, and its quality is backed up by its 99.6 percent Quality Acceptance Rating.

About AB Graphic
AB Graphic International Group comprises of companies located in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain and the United States. The U.S. facilities offer the Omega line of slitter rewinders, converting equipment, RFID and finishing equipment for digitally printed labels, the Vectra line of turret rewinders, Flytec inspection and GM roll handling/core cutting range

About Domino
Founded in 1978, Domino Printing Sciences plc, has established a global reputation for the continual development and manufacture of its total coding and printing technologies that meet the needs of manufacturers and sets new industry standards in quality and reliability.
Through a global network of 25 subsidiary offices and in excess of 200 distributors, Domino Printing Sciences plc sells to over 120 countries offering extensive customer support.

About DuPont
DuPont is a market-driven global science company focused on meeting the world’s needs through the power of our people, innovation, technology and collaboration. Founded in 1802, our company has grown to 58,000 employees working at more than 210 sites in more than 90 countries around the globe. Our vision is to be the world’s most dynamic science company, creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. In 2009, we achieved $26.1 billion (USD) in sales.

About HP
HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems.

Source: The Label Printers.