Offset Printing
KENTMERE PACKAGING OPTS FOR MANROLAND, AGAIN
Thursday 12. November 2009 - Cumbrias Kentmere Packaging has installed a ROLAND 706 LV from manroland; a move designed to increase capacity and boost the companys reputation as a responsive and flexible supplier.
The six-colour-plus-coater B1 press is an investment valued at £1.5million and is the latest instalment in a round of investments that includes new vehicles for the companys distribution fleet earlier this year and a Bobst gluer. The press goes live this November and will run alongside the companys incumbent ROLAND 706.
Kentmeres new ROLAND 706 LV incorporates Automatic Plate Loading (APL) and features manrolands Colour Pilot, with integrated densitometer, and PrintNet Press Manager, which facilitates the direct sharing of colour information between pre-press file preparation and the press. These features were chosen to ensure consistently high quality and efficient make-ready and both contribute significantly to reduced board wastage. Kentmere has also opted for manrolands ProServ service and maintenance package and the Telepresence online fault diagnostic and correction.
Says Shaun Mulvaney, Managing Director, Kentmere Packaging: “Our level of business has grown such that now is the right time for us to increase capacity and consolidate our success. This investment greatly improves our flexibility and the service levels we can provide customers. We investigated the market thoroughly but, based on the excellent performance of our first ROLAND 706 and the service we have received to date, manroland was the natural choice.”
“The build quality of manroland presses is excellent and the level of innovation in the latest generation presses, such as the Colour Pilot system, is striking. And with the ProServ service agreement, we have a solution that helps to keep our press in optimum condition. Telepresence also provides further peace of mind as we know that any down-time will be kept to a minimum.”
With Telepresence, manroland is able to solve approximately 50 percent of electro-mechanical and software faults remotely, without the need to send out an engineer. The system is a part of the Proserv after-sales support package which also includes modular maintenance schedules built to fit around customers operations and thus minimise disruption caused by routine press maintenance. It provides press operators and owners with email prompts and on screen “walk-through” guidance on maintenance procedures essential to sustained press performance.
Says John Worsley, Area Sales Manager, manroland GB: “manroland has a long and successful heritage in the packaging market, which is evident in its press design and a big reason behind continued investment by quality-orientated converters such as Kentmere. The ROLAND 700 is a tried and tested B1 press and testament to manrolands readiness to invest in R&D. Opting for features such as Colour Pilot, which scans the 4mm colour bar and regulates all ink ducts in just 18 seconds, APL and PrintNet manager, Kentmere will benefit from significant improvements in make ready time and colour consistency with the resulting reduction in wastage ensuring they are as competitive as possible.”
The ROLAND 700 has continually set the standard for innovation and is an industry benchmark in the B1 sector. With the most versatile design on the market it covers everything from the thinnest of papers, foils, plastics, and special materials up to carton board. It is a flexible press that can be configured with double sized, single sheet turning cylinders, and two to twelve units in combination with coating units. Also available are a range of other options such as InlineSheeter, InlineSorter, InlineFoiler, and quick change options.
The press is also available with manrolands ground-breaking DirectDrive plate change system. With DirectDrive, plate change is carried out simultaneously on all printing units and at the same time as other make-ready steps, saving up to 60 per cent on make ready time.
Established in 1906, Kentmere Packaging employs 55 members of staff and has a turnover approaching £6 million. It produces packaging for a wide range of markets including food, confectionery and toiletries and supplies most of the major supermarket retailers. The company prides itself on offering customers a personal service that ranges from initial design concepts through to supplying finished cartons to run on high speed automated packing lines, and more elaborate cartons with special finishes, for luxury confectionery.
Concludes Mr Mulvaney: “As one of the longest established carton converters in the UK still in private ownership, the Kentmere shareholders and management are committed to this industry in what are difficult times. The current economic climate has focussed the business and financial worlds on the importance of financial strength and security, which has placed us in a strong position to develop further. We are managing the current recession as we have previous recessions: by capitalising on our financial strength and staying true to our innovative business philosophy. This is an exciting time for Kentmere and medium to long-term projections anticipate further growth.”