UK printing equipment manufacturer Edale reckons it has installed over 1000 Vetaphone corona treatment units over the course of the last 25 years, as the two companies continue to leverage each other’s capabilities for the benefit of printers and converters.
Established back in the mid-20th Century, Edale has developed into a high-class manufacturer with a growing reputation for R&D, which allows it to design tailor-made options for a range of applications, from labels and filmic materials, to cartonboard. Collaborating with design and manufacturing teams around the world is critical to Edale and the ability of its machines to deliver the performance and accuracy that modern converters demand. This includes all facets of print production, and it was through early investigations into what surface treatment manufacturers had to offer that Edale first established contact with Vetaphone.
Edale managing director James Boughton said, ‘We pride ourselves on the fact that our technology is innovative but at the same time easy to use and reliable, which is not always an easy balance to strike. We can adapt our standard equipment or design something totally unique to fulfil a customer’s specific requirement, using well-proven technology that is cutting edge. We design and manufacture around 30 machines each year and probably 75% need a corona treater fitted before they leave the factory.
‘Once we saw what Vetaphone had to offer in terms of reliability and competitive pricing, coupled with an attitude of ‘can do’ that mirrors our approach, it was an easy decision. I estimate we have fitted more than 1000 of its units to our presses over the past 25 years or so.’
With Edale’s machines increasing in size and complexity over the years, Mr Boughton also welcomed Vetaphone’s collaborative mindset towards projects.
‘We appreciate the engagement and interest Vetaphone shows in each project, especially with the more complex specification presses that converters now invest in – and knowing that the performance and reliability of a key element like surface treatment is guaranteed, is a real bonus for us.’
Further, Edale has a growing reputation in the hybrid printing market, where it works with a number of global inkjet engine suppliers, such as Canon, Domino, Agfa and Fujifilm. To date it has sold around 50 of these machines, and each has been fitted with a Vetaphone corona treater to ensure ink adhesion across a range of substrates.
Speaking for Vetaphone, the company’s vice president of technical sales, Kevin McKell, commented, ‘We’ve been delighted to enjoy such a long and fruitful working partnership with Edale, whose reputation for quality engineering and practical innovation continues to be appreciated by converters all around the world. This makes a great showcase for our corona technology, and we are keen to support and develop new technology with Edale.’
