IMEC Media installs first Mark Andy Evolution in Ireland

The new Evolution press installed in the company’s Rathcoole factory near Dublin is an 8-color flexo line with a 17in (431mm) web width. The servo control and automatic register allow for high-accuracy second pass printing, if needed, with no loss of quality.

‘It’s wider, quicker to make ready and changeover, and runs faster across an extended range of substrates in perfect register,’ said James Williams, production manager at IMEC Media. ‘The unwind and rewind capability allows us to use larger rolls with less downtime and waste during changeovers and we decided to add chilled impression cylinders and a chiller to allow us to convert unsupported films. This opens up the bottle wrap and sleeve markets for us, which are growing fast right now.’

The Evolution also has lamination and cold foil facilities as well as delam/relam for reverse side printing, and a running speed of 750ft/min (230m/min).

Since full commissioning the new press contributed to bringing in new customers from the beverage and other sectors to add to the growth in demand from the company’s traditional pharma and food industries, brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

With such pressure on production, the converter is already looking to add a second Evolution flexo line and replace its existing digital capacity with the latest Mark Andy Digital Pro 3 toner-based technology for short run work.

‘There’s no doubt that choosing the right manufacturing partner is key to success when you’re starting out in business,’ commented Simon Burke, founder of IMEC Media. ‘We’ve had great reliability from our Comco presses that have been well supported by Mark Andy technicians. We’re looking forward to the same experience with our new Evolution. We know the market will continue to change but feel very comfortable that our choice of technology and manufacturer will support us throughout.’