Linney has put its Highcon Beam 2 digital cutting and creasing machine into full production, having been one of two UK companies to install the Highcon technology during the pandemic last year. The machine, the first of its type in the UK, is now operating on three shifts at its extensive Mansfield factory.
And already the ability to use a laser to cut and the digitally created creasing matrix is having an impact on waste and speed of turnaround. Previously the company has had two use a cutting table for ultra short run display units or packaging prototypes or a conventional platen for longer run work, requiring production of dies and lengthy makereadies.
Linney is active across the range of marketing services from consumer insight, design concepts, video and digital messaging and print for point of sale display units and printed and interactive displays for the likes of McDonalds, the Post Office, Yamaha motorcycles and retailers.
Executive director Charles Linney says: “We are constantly on the lookout for ways to innovate and to identify production improvements that will improve speed to market for our clients, including some global brands in the beauty and health industry, giving them the edge over their competitors.
“Finding the best way to do things is a pivotal part of our culture. Our investment strategy is about insourcing more to give greater production and quality control. The Beam 2 is about three times more productive than a traditional analogue device. The time to create makereadies is now reduced to minutes rather than days.”
This follows the experience of Delga which, like Linney, installed a Highcon last year. It has reported significant savings of both time and material at makeready. Glossop Cartons is the UK’s first user of Highcon’s digital finishing systems.
Jens Henrik Osmundsen, VP sales and general manager for Highcon’s EMEA region, adds: “We have been very impressed by the speed with which Linney has adopted our technology. They are already running three shifts, producing numerous jobs for their top tier clients in health, beauty and cosmetics, including on shelf tray displays and personalised packaging for the gift market.
“More than anything else, we have been delighted with the positive reactions we have received not only about the process and efficiency from Linney’s management but also from its design staff and operators.”
