Aquaflex leaves Montreal for Pennsylvania

F.L. Smithe Machine Company has announced that Aquaflex manufacturing operations are moving to its Duncansville, Pennsylvania plant. ‘The move will simplify operations and it should be completed in the early first quarter of 2005,’ said Mac Rosenbaum, vice president of F.L. Smithe. ‘We will continue operations in Montreal until the transition is complete so there will be no interruptions in new press deliveries. The Montreal operation will continue to provide engineering and technical services and work closely with our engineering team in Duncansville.  Product support will be provided from both Montreal and Duncansville.’

In March of 2004, F.L. Smithe Machine Company purchased the assets of Aquaflex. Located in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, F.L. Smithe is considered the premier manufacturer of automated envelope converting equipment worldwide.

‘The Aquaflex name has always stood for innovation and high-productivity and that tradition will continue,’ said Rosenbaum. ‘This is not a side-venture for F.L. Smithe—we view Aquaflex flexographic printing products as a very important part of our future. That means we will apply the resources necessary to make Aquaflex an industry leader. This should be good news for existing Aquaflex customers because it guarantees continued product support and a solid upgrade path in the future.’

Many industry-changing innovations, such as slide-out, easy-access print stations, first appeared on Aquaflex presses. These practical applications of the latest technology combined with exceptional operational ergonomics are the design signature of Aquaflex engineering. In January of 2000, Aquaflex again led the industry by being the first to introduce LEAN manufacturing principals and successfully apply them to press floor operations.