Published by Labels & Labelling

Mark Andy has installed three of its Performance Series presses in Ireland in quick succession, with two P3 models and one P5 through its UK subsidiary to Advanced Labels, Label World and Impact Labelling.

Advanced Labels in Dublin
installed the first P3 in Ireland

 

Label World has installed
an 8-color 330mm Mark Andy P3

 

Impact Labelling in Limerick
has installed a Mark Andy P5 servo driven line
with a 330mm web width

Advanced Labels in Dublin installed the first P3 in Ireland, an 8-color 330mm press with full UV flexo capability and fitted with turn bars and delam/relam capability.

Advanced Labels owner and managing director Joe Killion said the investment was made to make the company ‘ultra competitive in high-end labels’ as the business expands into new Markets, such as food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. ‘Crucially, our new Mark Andy has only ever run with low migration inks and varnishes, which gives us an edge in the food and beverage markets, and puts a big tick in the environmental box as far as our customers are concerned,’ he said.

Since being commissioned in July 2015, the P3 has improved both speed and print quality at Advanced Labels, with significant savings reported in make-ready and changeover times, combined with less material waste. One regular job, run-off on the press soon after installation, was completed in four hours instead of the usual two days, which indicates a fantastic ROI, according to Killion, adding that his average order value has also grown from 1,500 EUR to 3,500 EUR with the P3.

Working predominantly with paper-based substrates, the company supplies around 65 percent of its output to the retail market with the balance going to industrial sectors. A typical job might be 50,000 labels, but the company is looking for an increased volume of four-color process work. ‘The press is almost instantly into register and holds it perfectly even at 160m/min. We can do a complete four-color job change in less than eight minutes, and this, combined with less than 15 meters of waste, means we can handle virtually any job cost effectively.’

The result is that Advanced Labels has already reduced its outwork, and will see turnover grow by 17 percent in 2015. To match the high output of the Mark Andy P3 and provide an all-round service, Advanced Labels has also installed a Mark Andy plate mounter and two Rotoflex machines, a VSI inspection rewinder and a DSI die-cutter. The total investment project is aimed squarely at attaining BRC approval early in 2016.

Label World, also based in Dublin, has installed a similar 8-color 330mm Mark Andy P3. The company’s new press has turn bars and delam/relam, but also includes two die stations and a sheeter, which is used for fanfold and tag work required by trade customers.

An existing Mark Andy user, Label World director Derek Maher first saw the Performance Series at Labelexpo Europe in 2011. ‘I was so impressed with the speed of make-ready and consistent register that I knew it was the way forward for our business.’

The new Mark Andy was installed in July 2015 and replaced two older flexo lines. Regularly running at 140m/min, the P3 has taught Label World about the need for efficient job planning and preparation. ‘We have a Formula 1 racing car now and need to improve our pit stops to maximize its performance,’ said fellow director Declan O’Rourke. ‘In the past there had been a clear difference between the quality coming off our flexo presses and that from the digital presses we have – but not anymore, and the P3 is so much more productive that it could easily double our turnover.’

Impact Labelling in Limerick has installed a Mark Andy P5 servo driven line, also with a 330mm web width. Chosen for its ability to handle second pass work in perfect register, the P5 is the first Performance Series press in Ireland and UK with Mark Andy’s new advanced waste rewind system that allows faster die-cutting because the matrix is always supported. It is also fitted with full UV flexo, turn bars, delam/relam, and Mark Andy’s QCDC (quick change die cassette), which allows the operator to load and unload the heavy die cylinders through the side-frame by using a trolley fitted with slide rails.

Impact Labelling managing director Richard Fox said: ‘The P5 is our first brand new press and will allow us to develop our business in the industrial, logistics, automotive and medical devices sectors, which are less seasonally volatile than retail and food.

‘We are looking to become more efficient on short run work, much of which has a second-pass element so the accuracy of the die-cutting is critical. The P5 excels at this re-register work, running at 120m/min.’

Currently some 25 percent of Impact Labelling’s production is trade work, with a typical run length of 50,000 labels, all of which are 100 percent line scan inspected prior to delivery. The P5 is seen by Impact Labelling as a machine with highly accurate converting capabilities, as much as a quality UV flexo press, and Fox said: ‘Everything about it spells accuracy and efficiency, whether it’s the large diameter impression roll or the die station with its easy change system.’

These three recent installations bring the total number of Performance Series presses in Ireland up to six.

Mark Andy UK sales manager Paul Macdonald said: ‘We were delighted to secure these orders because the different requirements of the three customers demonstrate the flexible production capability of the Performance Series.

‘They are very flexible performers and have found favour with all types of label converter. I’d say there is a Performance Series press to suit everyone.’