Graphic Packaging International, which bought Benson Group earlier this year, is commissioning the third large Heidelberg its bought this year at its plant in Leeds.
The 18,000sph XL145-6+LX is in place and undergoing trials at one of the largest litho carton plants in the UK. The eight colour XL106 which was ordered by Benson before its acquisition has arrived in the north east. Both follow installation of another XL145 at GPI’s plant at Bremen in Germany.
The XL 145 is the largest Heidelberg in the plant and follows the success of an XL105. Benson Group has been a focusing on Heidelbergs and has a established a strong rapport with the manufacturer. At Leeds the new machine dwarfs a Man Roland 900 that it is next to it.
Dean Naylor, plant manager at Leeds, says: “We looked at other options but our experience with the existing XL105 an the performance it has given us over the last six years, coupled with the technological developments on the XL145 were convincing reasons for going again with Heidelberg.” Prior to GPI’s arrival, the plant had been a strong customer for Manroland. These presses are becoming relatively uncompetitive.
The installation includes a full suite of logistics systems to deliver board to the press and removed finished pallets so that the press can run uninterrupted. It is the first press in the plant with Inpress Control and has Color Assistant Pro to manage consistency of brand colours, Naylor explaining: “Customers value their brand and expect quality and colour as a prerequisite.”
Operator training takes place at both Brentford and the factory in Wiesloch. “The reaction from all employees has been 100% positive. This investment gives a great morale boost to the plant,” says Naylor.
“The XL145 is a much heavier press,” says Gary Wilkinson, Heidelberg key accounts and VLF specialist. “We had to check with the Coal Board that there were no mine shafts or workings in the area before installation and took full core samples before building the base.”
