Weedon PSC has installed a new six-colour HQPP (High Quality Post Print) Weipong flexo printer. The machine, which is the company’s largest ever equipment acquisition, has been installed at its Hednesford, Staffordshire premises and is already up and running.
The company, which markets itself as ‘the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of eCommerce packaging, corrugated packaging and POS displays,’ invested in the Weipong printer because it needed to increase print capacity in order to meet rising demand from its eCommerce platforms, and because it is looking to develop more sustainable packaging.
‘The acquisition of a Weipong flexo printer follows significant expansion over the last year or so and represents the largest single investment in our company’s history,’ said managing director John Weedon. ‘The demand for corrugated packaging is rising, partly as a result of the growth in online shopping accelerated by the pandemic. But we are also seeing an increase in customers switching to coated corrugated board as a greener alternative to plastic packaging, especially in markets such as fresh produce and automotive components.
‘The packaging industry is having to make some major changes to accommodate new trends. In our case things are pretty extreme – we had to demolish part of our factory to accommodate new equipment to keep up with demand!’
Weedon’s new Weipong machine will print larger sheets that the company’s existing existing TCY printers, enabling the production of a wider range of packaging and displays. For example, for the first time, the company will be able to offer flexo printing on POS displays as a more cost effective option for high volume runs.
The machine will also print both sides in one pass (four colours on one side, two on the reverse), making it ideal for eCommerce packaging and retail ready packaging with printing inside the box. It can also apply a coating on the inside of a box, for example for fresh produce or automotive components, offering a more environmentally-friendly, cost-effective alternative to plastic packaging.
