Offset Printing

SeaTac Packaging chooses BOBST as new partner for flexo printing

Friday 27. November 2020 - Founded in 1994, SeaTac Packaging Manufacturing Corporation operates out of a few new state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities 40 miles south of Seattle. The family-owned company manufactures laminated bags for foodstuffs, animal feed, agricultural products, chemical products and more across the United States, Canada and the wider American Continent.

As part of a multi-million-dollar investment, SeaTac has recently taken delivery of a BOBST EXPERT CI flexo press, which has been installed at its new facility in Tacoma, Washington. The operation encompasses over 100,000 sq ft of modern production space and the increase in capacity has created new jobs. From here, the company supplies customers with a wide variety of multiwall, PaperWoven (paper-laminated polywoven), BOPP (laminated polywoven) and rollstock bags.
The investment in the latest flexo technology from BOBST will significantly expand SeaTac’s printing capabilities as it moves into the future, and also increase the company’s already high productivity levels and established sustainability credentials.
“The new BOBST EXPERT CI flexo press will make our operations even more efficient,” said President David Huang. He added, “With its cutting-edge innovations, it will also allow us to print with water-based, food-safe inks, which are better for the environment. This was a major selling point for us when choosing our new technology partner, as we are listening to our customers’ concerns about the environmental impact of packaging and want to offer a sustainable choice to the market.”
The investment in the BOBST EXPERT CI flexo press also closely aligns with SeaTac’s mission to provide superior converted bag and other packaging solutions through uncompromising quality, excellent customer service, innovative products and value.
Mr. Huang, who has been heading up the company since 2012, praised the build of the EXPERT, describing it as the “Rolls-Royce” of wide web flexo presses. “We needed an ultra-modern printing press with the highest level of automation to fulfil our vision to produce best-in-class products and stay competitive. We chose BOBST for their reputation as the leader in flexo print technology and service, as we wanted the most robust option and a great support network, and they haven’t disappointed,” he stated.
Available in print widths between 1050mm and 1450mm (41.3-57 inches) with either eight or ten color stations, the EXPERT has a compact footprint and runs at speeds up to 600 m/min (1968 ft/min). It features a host of options to improve and automate process control.
As job run lengths have become shorter and demand for faster turnaround increased, the need for high levels of automation has become the focus for the industry. Only by cutting out waste in production and optimizing the capabilities of equipment can press manufacturers help printing companies remain competitive in the markets they serve.
With its highly sophisticated flexo technology, such as the smartGPS (Graphic Position System) for automatic registration and impression setting, which was first introduced in 2009, BOBST has been ahead of its time for many years. Other unique features include the high torque triLOCK locking mechanism for perfect positioning of printing plates, which eliminates manual locking to avoid errors and inconsistencies in the process, and the smartFLO inking system with chambered doctor blade, which regulates temperature and ink flow. Furthermore, the advanced process consistency makes the press perfect for the requirements of 7-color Extended Color Gamut (ECG) printing.
The installation at SeaTac Packaging is a great example of how the EXPERT can be customized to special production requirements. The company has pioneered the production and application of PaperWoven bags since 1994, as the first manufacturer to produce these bags in North America. Initially developed for the fishing industry, PaperWoven bags are stronger and more durable than standard multiwall paper bags, and have a reduced carbon footprint, weight and bulk resulting in shipping and storage cost savings. Constructed of a printed (or plain) paper layer laminated to a layer of woven polywoven fabric, the bags are also more rigid, with a better printing surface that has less glare.
“We are all very excited to be part of SeaTac’s new journey. It has been a real pleasure getting to know the team and finding the right solution for their specific requirements,” commented Marco Carrara Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Americas. “The EXPERT press benefits from BOBST’s continuous drive for innovation and the resulting class-leading technologies, which together form a superb value-adding proposition that will guarantee a profitable future for SeaTac Packaging.”

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