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Jun 03, 2024

Encore in Bobst UK first

Richard Stuart-Turner Monday, February 7, 2022 Print and packaging specialist The Encore Group is set to take on a Bobst Expertfold 110 A2 alongside automatic packer Cartonpack 4, making it the first

Richard Stuart-Turner Monday, February 7, 2022

Print and packaging specialist The Encore Group is set to take on a Bobst Expertfold 110 A2 alongside automatic packer Cartonpack 4, making it the first independent group in the UK to operate the folder-gluer with this configuration.

Production line speed and efficiency at the group, which operates sites in Peterlee, County Durham; Washington, Tyne and Wear; and Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, will be further enhanced with the addition of the Easyfeeder 4 pre-feeder.

The Expertfold 110 A2 will mark the second Bobst folder-gluer investment for envelope and packaging manufacturer Encore when it’s installed at the Peterlee site in early spring. In 2015, the business took delivery of a Visionfold 110 A2 and it also operates a raft of other Bobst machinery.

Managing director David Cooper said: “We have seen a steady increase in business over the past 18 months to two years. As we focus on growing our Packaging Solutions division, investment in best-in-class machinery and technologies has become crucial.

“Our commitment to our customers is such that we don’t want to be limited by what we can and can’t achieve for them. We will invest in our assets to ensure we can support them, whatever their needs are, and deliver packaging of the highest standard.”

The Expertfold 110 A2 can produce a number of box styles in a range of materials at speeds up to 450m/min. It is said to feature short makeready and changeover times for optimum uptime.

Bobst said the machine’s performance is improved further with the addition of Cartonpack 4 and Easyfeeder 4. The Easyfeeder inlet is said to offer smooth and constant feeding to the folder-gluer at any given speed, reducing feed-related stops and downtime.

Meanwhile, all settings and movements are automated on the Cartonpack 4 to reduce workload and deliver high productivity, quality, and accuracy.

“The purchase of the Expertfold 110 folding-gluing line will enable us to boost production flexibility when used alongside the Visionfold. It is a highly efficient machine, and its high speed creates greater agility and responsiveness. Operating in conjunction with the Easyfeeder 4 and Cartonpack 4, the benefits of the folder-gluer are enhanced even further,” said Cooper.

“We always go out to market for all our major purchases, but once again Bobst demonstrated that its machines are a cut above. We were able to visit other customer sites to see the Expertfold in action and how it was bringing significant benefits to their operations.

“Importantly, any issues that have cropped up have been resolved quickly and smoothly. The advice from Bobst and its UK-based service offering were crucial in our decision-making process.”

Employing more than 300 staff, The Encore Group also offers POS, corrugated, folding carton, and direct mail products to retailers, food and beverage manufacturers, financial institutions, local authorities, and government bodies.