Falconer Print & Packaging has acquired an additional unit to its factory in Elland, Yorkshire. This will help it cope with the growth following investment in a six-colour Speedmaster XL75 coming at the end of the year. This will replace a smaller format press says managing director Richard Martin.
“It will give us compatibility across two presses and give us greater flexibility,” he says. That is being maximised by a specification that enables the new press to run both conventional and UV inks and varnishes. “We get a lot more flexibility in coating if we can run a conventional varnish and so offer different finishes on cartons. Some clients like that kind of thing.”
The six-colour press comes with Axis Control, to manage spot colours, Autoplate and Intelliline. It is a match for the existing XL75, though with updated functionality and features to make ready faster. This does not mean that the company made an automatic choice. “We looked at various manufacturers, but as a current Heidelberg user we already knew the capabilities of their presses and back up service,” he says.
The press should hit the ground running as operators will already be familiar with Heidelberg’s control systems.
Falconer designs and produces high value packaging, often enhanced with embossing and foil blocking carried out in-house. Customers range from artisan brands to national and international companies.
By the time the press is delivered, the company hopes to have taken on the second unit and to have moved finishing equipment in, including a third and new Diana Smart folder gluer.
Martin himself should by then have recovered from a charity hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya that starts this week. Training for the trek prevented Martin from joining the company’s visit to Drupa. “Eating bratwurst and pork knuckles washed down by German beer would not have been good training for the trip,” he says.
