Russian printer targets new markets with MPS EF flexo press

Based in Barnaul, Impress is the printing division of the company Retail-Service, founded in 1999 and also in Barnaul. Retail-Service began by offering in-house designed software and trade equipment for supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, later adding printing capabilities for simple and complex labels. Impress runs five presses: two letterpresses for short runs and three flexo presses.

With a 340mm web width and eight color UV print units, the new EF press at Impress features a double quick-change die unit, multi laminating on rail, delam/relam and iStrip matrix rewinding. The press is also equipped with the automatic print control (APC) package and a mark-to-mark camera system, which automatically sets the press in register without operator intervention. The MPS EF was installed in November 2015, and high-end labels for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries are already being printed on the press.

Impress managing director Konstantin Kokin said: ‘Three years ago we began our research of advanced flexo printing press solutions available in the narrow web market. We ultimately chose MPS as the ideal partner, to provide us a flexo print solution for a range of high quality labels now in production, and prepare us for new markets with the ability to print shrink sleeves and other unsupported films. The EF stood out with offering the highest automation, high-quality components and advanced print productivity. With the press already up and running, we are very pleased with the performance of our new MPS EF flexo press.’

The investment represents the first MPS purchase by Impress. Ogard, MPS’s local sales and service representative in Russia, led the sale, installation and operator training.

Using advanced production control software from Retail-Service, Impress can determine optimum production schedules to maximize time and reduce waste for each print job, communicated to the operator through an iPad. Impress plans to integrate its new MPS EF press into this intelligent software system to capture useful savings data directly from the press. MPS and Ogard will support Impress with the implementation of this system enhancement.