ProPrint raises productivity with Martin Automatic technology

With increased demand on the company’s newest Edale press, the use of automation seemed a natural process to follow.

Bob Green, operations manager for ProPrint Group said: ‘We were seriously impressed with the Martin Automatic installations at Desmedt Labels near Brussels, which has effectively automated all of the company’s narrow web presses. The owner, Henri Köhler, was very open and helpful with production figures and we could see with our own eyes how smoothly the whole production process flowed.’

The result of this visit ProPrint group has placed an order for a Martin Automatic MBS non-stop butt splicer, and a non-stop LRD rewinder. The MBS automatically shears and tapes the running web to the new reel while the press continues running at full production speed, which at ProPrint is typically around 140m/min. The LRD rewinds and unloads the finished rolls also at full production speed without the need for an operator.

‘Our continued focus on improving service levels and cutting down on waste, raw materials and time, means we are always looking at ways to streamline and improve our efficiencies,’ added Nigel Tollman, director at ProPrint. ‘We believe in spending time ensuring we have the right supplier partners - partners we can work with to make sure our business is always evolving and improving. The team at Martin Automatic were helpful, supportive and worked hard to give us the peace of mind that comes with certainty.’

Martin Automatic’s UK sales manager, Chris Chappel said: ‘There was no chance of an engineer flying in from the US or over from mainland Europe to commission the MBS and LRD, so Simon Coffin and I set to it. It’s the way we like to be there for our customers when they need us.’

‘In the short time since the machinery was installed, we have found it easy to use, reliable and very efficient,’ said Green. ‘I estimate that the Martin equipment is saving us around 30 percent of the time it took to change a roll manually and has also cut make ready waste significantly by between 50 and 100 meters per change. Overall, I’d say the Martins have boosted output by at least 20 percent, and that’s being conservative.’

The investment package, which also included a Lundberg waste extraction system, is part of a larger program to widen the group’s range of printed packaging. Currently operating from modern facilities across two sites – one for cartons the other for labels, ProPrint offers digital and offset printing capability in addition to its narrow web flexo.