A bespoke press for a bespoke product

The Packaging Partnership has invested in a bespoke Mark Andy 2200 flexo line at its production facility in Tuxford, Notts, UK. The Mark Andy was selected by managing director Tim Matthews to fulfill the increase in workload expected following the award of an exclusive five year contract for the manufacture of SpecimenSak.

This patented product was invented and designed by Plumtree Group of Nottingham to provide the National Health Service and private laboratories with a laser printable pathology request form. It chose The Packaging Partnership to handle production after it had demonstrated its ability and willingness to work with the patent holder and ensure a suitable solution was found within the time frame required. 

The SpecimenSak product is constructed by feeding a roll of coated paper with a PET liner wound outside to provide a waterproof specimen pouch. This is then laminated to a web of fine micron PET that is die cut on three sides to expose the adhesive. Additional die cutting provides peel out labels and the ability to seal the pouch once specimens have been inserted. A third web of plain paper is fed from underneath and glued and perforated to provide a detachable section that can be used within the working process of a pathology department.

The means of manufacturing the product was arrived at following hours of negotiation and feasibility studies between The Packaging Partnership and Mark Andy who recommended a two-color 10” 2200 would be best for the job.

According to Matthews the key to Mark Andy securing the order was the outstanding test facilities provided at the company’s Macclesfield site.  He stated: ‘The benefits of having a UK test facility of this standard was invaluable and allowed product reviews and re-works to be undertaken quickly and with the minimum of costs to all concerned.’

Mr Matthews plans further growth in this type of specialized work and is already in the early design stages with Plumtree Group on further NHS focused products. If successful this project would require further investment in Mark Andy 2200 equipment, which as he pointed out ‘also gives us the facility to produce commercial labels at very attractive prices when not running special jobs.’