Reflex Litho Plus has welcomed a Duran Omega Allpro 70 folder-gluer to its Manchester factory where it is expected to have a big impact on the productivity of the business.
“The machine we had previously was 18 years old and constantly breaking down,” says Mike Webb, site and production manager. “It was no longer up to the job in terms of volumes, speed and efficiency.”
The business became part of the Reflex Labels Group three years ago and has been increasing its carton output since. The old folder-gluer, however, was proving a constraint on production and, after making the case for a replacement and negotiating with Friedheim International, the company settled on the Allpro 70.
“It is an established design and model,” says Webb, “which is a factor as we are new to packaging and needed to be comfortable with the investment.” The line can produce straight line, crash lock, double wall cartons with options on four- and six-corner styles as well as the cartonboard sleeves that are proving popular in the food sector.
The company runs a five-colour plus coater SM74, producing work for local companies and for customers that come from elsewhere in the group, specialising in short runs “as low as 1,000 units” says Webb, adding “fast turnaround is where we are to score, especially as we get more and more used to the Duran”.
And should it need to offer more functionality to the cartons produced, it can add in other elements thanks to a modular design, which relies on servo motors to enable expansion with additional sections to improve the performance of the line as required.
