Etipress buys Mark Andy P5

Etipress Etiquetas Autoadheribles, a label printing company located in Guadalajara, Mexico, has installed a Mark Andy Performance Series P5 press as it targets growth.

Since installation in August 2017, Etipress has reported reduced maintenance, improved noise control on the plant floor, and cost and waste savings

The technology-centric label business, which specializes in self-adhesive and security labels, has a self-stated mission to produce quality products at competitive prices while still hitting delivery deadlines using the most advanced printing machinery on the market. The addition of next-generation flexo technology is intended to help Etipress achieve these goals.

This was the first time in many years that Etipress has opted to invest in new capital equipment. Etipress has focused on addressing key problem areas through the new press acquisition. The first being a loss of business due to productivity issues and the second the need to stay cost competitive. Prior to owning a P5, the company utilized two legacy presses and were in need of an upgrade. The main objective was to find a machine that could output similar results as their legacy printing units but with higher productivity. Etipress evaluated the P5 against two other brands and ultimately chose to partner with Mark Andy, in part due to the OEM manufacturer’s direct technical support in Mexico.

Since install, Etipress has reported reduced maintenance, improved noise control on the plant floor, and cost and waste savings.

The new addition to Etipress’ pressroom shipped in August last year and was fully installed and running jobs by late September. The P5 prints jobs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, extending the printer’s capability to take on new business. With the pharmaceutical and food labeling sectors in Mexico experiencing a large increase in demand growth, as well as a need for specific application expansions, such as printing on adhesives, the Mark Andy P5 is opening doors for the company and increasing its productivity double fold. In the future, Etipress is looking to expand into the prime label market, printing jobs for food and beverage, as well as the wine and spirits industry.

Etipress hopes to double its sales from the previous year and in terms of average sales, triple its growth overall.

Etipress also realized the need for new technology when comparing waste generated from its water-based ink system to other systems on the market. The company was quick to recognize the need for a more advanced ink curing system. Etipress has reported time and service savings with the switch to Mark Andy’s ProLED system, delivering more efficient and environmentally-friendly curing over traditional UV curing.

Juan Carlos Arroyave, general manager at Etipress Etiquetas Autoadheribles, explained: ‘In order to reduce waste, we needed to switch to an ink system that would give us more stability during printing. We decided to go with ProLED instead of traditional UV because it’s a sustainable, more efficient technology. We’re betting on innovation and striving to be one step ahead.’