Label Solutions has eased production concerns with investment in a second Xeikon, adding a CX3 to the Xeikon 3300 installed at the Essex company six years ago.
The high speed press will enable the company to continue to migrate work to digital from its six-colour Nilpeter UV flexo press, creating capacity on both this and in the digital area.
Managing director Leslie Burden says: “This purchase should be seen as a commitment to our existing customers, and potential new customers. We are now part way through an investment in excess of £1 million. For us to invest this amount of money demonstrates, I think, our ambition and belief in the marketplace.”
The company is considering options for finishing to cope with the increased volume but has not finalised the choice, says business operations manager Jessica Cook. “The press is giving us the capacity to supply customer demands for reduced lead time and quality. A lot of work is moving from flexo to digital.”
The goal for 2018 is delivering a reduction in lead times, says sales director Malcolm Bunn. Its average turnaround currently is four days after approval of artwork. This will come through the investment in finishing as much as through the new press.
The 30m/min running speed of the CX3 will extend the footprint of digital into runs that have previously considered the realm of flexo. This will extend the scope of work that the Horden business can take on. It operates across the label sectors, including food where the toner that Xeikon uses is qualified for food contact by the FDA in the US.
There is no intention of becoming a digital only printer. ““We believe that we can offer the best of both worlds to our prospects and customers,” says Bunn. “Digital has certainly changed the label market considerably, but flexo still has a critical role to play for very long runs. There are certainly companies out there that need a supplier who can provide the best of both technologies.”
The deal for the press was ironed out by Xeikon CEO Benoit Chatelard who called in to the company on his first visit to the UK on becoming CEO of Xeikon last year.
Jessica Cook, Benoit Chatelard and Les Burden complete the deal after the Xeikon CEO called in to the Essex printer. As a result it has installed a CX3 and is now looking to match the speed of the press with additional finishing equipment.
