Benson sets production records as it handles ‘unprecedented’ workload

- Two sites handle five million sheets in week commencing July 15

 

- Komori L40 best performing press over the period

 

Privately-owned UK printed folding carton manufacturer Benson Group has reported record-breaking performance by its North East operations in mid-July, as its facilities handle ‘unprecedented’ levels of work.

 

Benson Group Gateshead and Benson Group Newburn recorded joint print production for the week commencing July 15 of five million sheets.

 

Within this, the Gateshead site set a new record of its own with three million sheets on the floor for the week. Newburn also set a site record with two million sheets produced; whilst in post-press production the cut-and-crease team broke yet another record with 4.4 million sheets produced – a new group high.

 

Benson has been placing a focus on lean manufacturing in recent times, with Benson Box in Bardon, the headquarters and lead manufacturing plant of the Benson Group, shortlisted in the BPIF Excellence Awards 2012 Lean Manufacturing category.

 

A spokesman said the North East operations have been taking strides in a similar direction, as well as investing in new equipment, and maintaining and upgrading existing kit in-line with the rest of the group.

 

As an example, Benson Box signed a deal to purchase a B1-format Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106 at Drupa.

 

A B1-format Komori L40 press already installed at the Gateshead location was the best performing machine during the record-breaking week in July.

 

This press is the oldest in the Benson Group portfolio, but printed just over one million sheets at an operational efficiency of 60 percent. The press has a targeted operational efficiency of 30 percent.

 

Andrew Pybus, general manager of Benson Group North East, said: ‘The amount of work coming through our factories at the moment is unprecedented, and we are delighted to say that we have both the people and the equipment, along with the logistics and scheduling systems, to produce these big production numbers.’

 

Read more on Benson Group here

Read more folding carton production here

Read more on Komori here

Read more on Heidelberg here

Read more on press technology here

Read more news from across Europe here