Mark Andy opens expanded European technology center

Mark Andy has officially opened its expanded European Technology Center in Warsaw, Poland, welcoming more than 170 participants from 16 countries and four continents to witness the European premiere of its Performance Series S9 flexo press.

The event marked a significant milestone for the company's EMEA operations, featuring live demonstrations of flexographic and hybrid technologies, as well as expert presentations on industry megatrends.

Tom Cavalco, vice president of international sales at Mark Andy, described the facility as more than just a showroom. 'It is a space designed to offer real support to customers for testing, training and consulting,' he explained. 'Our latest investment in expanding the facility is a strategic response to the growing demands of the global label and packaging market and the dynamic changes occurring across the print industry.'

The technology center houses several permanently installed production lines showcasing Mark Andy's flexographic and digital hybrid presses, along with finishing equipment. Attendees witnessed multiple presses in action, producing labels and flexible packaging on various substrates with different embellishments and finishing options.

The event's centerpiece was the European debut of the Performance Series S9 flexo press, integrated with a Rotoflex VLI rewinder. Demonstrations were conducted by Antony Cotton, European sales manager and Lukasz Kaczynski, demo room manager.

Other flagship technologies on display included the hybrid Digital Series HD HighSpeed 1200 and the Evolution Series E5 flexo press. The company also demonstrated its ProWORX Label Suite workflow software, designed to automate processes and improve print shop efficiency.

The program featured presentations from leading industry experts addressing key market developments. Anke Frieser-Tausch, head of the DFTA Technology Centre, discussed the future of the label and packaging industry, focusing on megatrends including digitalization, automation and ESG compliance requirements.

Magdalena Fertsch-Slek, an expert in GS1 standards, introduced attendees to the Product Digital Passport concept, explaining how this EU initiative will transform product identification and tracking throughout lifecycle stages from production to recycling.

Mark Andy CEO Duane Pekar emphasized the company's commitment to supporting customer growth. 'In line with our motto "Your Growth is Our Growth" we aim to be a partner that not only delivers equipment but actively supports growth of your businesses and transformation of the entire industry,' he stated.

The event concluded with a networking reception at Warsaw's National Museum, providing opportunities for informal discussions among industry professionals.

Cavalco summarized the event's significance: 'We hope the event was more than just a product and technology presentation, because it was designed to prove that our company is committed to innovation, openness and dialogue with customers. The future of printing is not just about quality and productivity, but also flexibility, sustainability and agility to adapt to changing market needs.'