Berkshire Labels installs fifth ABG Digicon finishing line

UK converter Berkshire Labels has installed its fifth Digicon finishing line from AB Graphic.

Paul Roscoe, managing director of Berkshire Labels

The company has doubled its turnover and staff – to more than £10 million GBP and 80 employees – since installing its first HP Indigo digital press and AB Graphic Digicon finishing system eight years ago.

The new machine joins a fleet of AB Graphic systems finishing labels printed on three HP Indigo 6900s. 

‘Each Digicon we’ve bought is bigger than the last, and this one offers better efficiencies, and almost unlimited embellishment and finishing capabilities,’ said Paul Roscoe, Berkshire Labels’ managing director. 

‘We’re now able to offer better quality foiling and screen printing – what we believe is the best in the finishing business. With 2 x 50 tonne Big Foot flatbed hot foiling and embossing modules, flexo heads and a high-build screen flatbed printing unit, this new Digicon has endless possibilities.’ 

At the start of its digital journey, Berkshire only produced self-adhesive labels. With the development of the specialist food and beverage market (including craft beers), changes to the toiletries and cosmetics sectors and the creation of new markets, customers now demand a higher number of embellishments on lower value orders, increased number of SKUs, and shorter label life expectancies. Eight years later, Berkshire now offers self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves and wraparound labels all with a range of embellishments.

‘With the fast set-up and low wastage, plus being able to produce each job in a single pass, we can now offer all customers competitive prices and enhanced creative opportunities on much shorter runs,’ continued Roscoe. 

‘As a business, when we look to expand we must be able to improve in every area because of it. With the new capacity, this will enable us to achieve our next target of £12m GBP and fits perfect with our overall strategy of continued and controlled growth in sustainable areas. This will also be achieved through better product offering, shorter lead-times and further improved customer experience.’

AB Graphic will be exhibiting a large beverage specification Digicon Series 3 at Labelexpo Americas on stand 3223.