(L-R) Jens Torkel, managing director, Bobst Bielefeld; Jan Laeremans, managing director, Vitra NV; Erik Bothorel, head of Bobst business unit web-fed; Peter Vincke, key account manager, Bobst Bielefeld
Belgian packaging printer and converter Vitra NV has invested in two 20SIX CI flexo printing presses and a CL850 laminating machine from Bobst as part of a substantial investment programme.
The new equipment will be installed in the second half of 2017 and significantly extend the company’s capacity. The family-owned company was founded in 1935 and is currently managed by the second and third generations.
The two flexo presses feature 10 colours, a print width of 1050mm and repeats up to 800mm, so they can take on a wide range of flexible packaging printing jobs. Both machines are equipped with 100% inspection systems and inline spectrophotometers. They also feature an off-press set-up system that reduces the amount of waste during set-up and also serves as a quality control instrument for printing hardware and plate mounting.
The laminating machine will replace one of the Belgian company’s existing laminators, joining a solventless laminator already in operation at the production plant. This new addition will be dedicated to solvent-based applications using either gravure or flexo trolleys, and is capable of coating with different types of varnishes and lacquers.
‘The superior transparency of solvent-based adhesives is often the preference with transparent laminates. Here the uniformity of coating must be flawless as even the smallest defects are immediately visible,’ explained Jan Laeremans, managing director ‘In terms of operational efficiency, we expect the new presses will enable us to increase flexibility and minimise turnaround time, especially on short run production,’ he concluded.
