Encore Group has purchased a third Bobst Novacut to handle growth in demand for cartons.
The order for the Novacut 106ER APT was placed at Drupa and will be installed shortly at its Peterlee site, says the company. The platen will be the first in the business to have Bobst’s APT automatic pallet transfer system.
Encore anticipates a growth in capacity of around 30%, needed because of an increase in food packaging, where brands are switching from plastic to carton board.
But plans for the business go beyond this and the new 7,000sph die cutter is key. Encore Group managing director David Cooper says: “This will be achieved in areas beyond food packaging, such as ecommerce, where cutting edge die cutting will complement the systems necessary to convert such packaging.
“It’s important we’re not standing still but are looking to the future. We experienced packaging growth of 28% in 2022 and a further 12% in 2023. That means this machine is to be delivered at a pivotal moment for our business, as we focus on further growth.
“We need to ensure we continually invest in the right equipment to make sure we meet the service and commercial requirements of our customers. This investment ensures our customers benefit from the very best the industry has to offer.”
It will join a Novacut E and Novacut 106ER along with two folder gluer lines from Bobst. The new machine will also feature inline stripping, non stop blank pile delivery, quick lock system for the upper tool and non stop feeder. Printing is on Heidelberg Speedmasters, the latest of which is a six-colour XL106 plus coater installed in 2023.
As well as food packaging and ecommerce boxes, Encore produces packaging for retail, medical and healthcare markets.
On behalf of Bobst, UK area sales manager for northern England and Scotland Lee Alton says: “We are delighted to once again be able to support the Encore Group with its investment plans and be a part of their continued growth strategy.”
