Thornton Print invests in a Mark Andy performance series

Thornton Print, part of the DSR Group, has installed a second Mark Andy P7 Performance Series flexo press at its production plant in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The company combines print capabilities from sheet-fed offset to toner-based digital, with two Mark Andy flexo presses in the middle. Established originally in 1893, it has become one of the leading commercial printing companies in the UK.

Allan Bell, operations director at Thornton Print, explained the company’s choice of manufacturer: 'Back in 2015, we were looking to move our narrow web capability from rotary letterpress to UV-flexo and knew that Mark Andy has vast experience in this technology. The Performance Series P5 we ordered was the perfect introduction to flexo as it coincided with a major investment in pre-press technology and gave us the best opportunity to succeed from day one.'

The Performance P5 is principally used for self-adhesive label production and features the Mark Andy ‘Gizmo’ or web translator, to give it its technical title. This allows the press to produce booklet-style labels, which are becoming increasingly popular in sectors of the market where the legal requirement is to provide a vast amount of printed information on one label—think pharma, but not exclusively. Specification of the 8-color 17-inch Performance P5 includes UV drying and die cutting.

Based on the company’s experience with the Performance P5, when the time came to add a second narrow web press, Thornton chose a Mark Andy Performance P7, which Bell described as: 'A Performance P5 on steroids!' Initially installed to provide backup and additional capacity for the P5, the new fully servo-driven P7 has proved to be a versatile performer.  

Like the Performance P5, the 8-color 17-inch P7 is highly specified, featuring both UV curing and hot air drying, cold foil, emboss/deboss, turn bars, a Martin Automatic MBS unwind/splice, a waste collection system, and a sheeting station.  

According to Bell, a key element in maximizing performance from both Mark Andy presses was the extensive training and support provided by the manufacturer. 'Modern flexo presses are very capable but very complex, and we value the ongoing care and attention shown to us by Mark Andy.' 

With the package print market becoming more competitive and brand owners looking for greater differentiation to improve the shelf-offtake of their products, Thornton Print’s Performance P7 is providing a whole raft of finishing and embellishing options. 'Where once techniques like hot and cold foiling, embossing, debossing, and reverse-side printing were considered special, we now consider them an everyday job – they are the new norm!' commented Bell, who says that by dedicating the Performance P7 to paper and board jobs, all work is sheeted at the end of the press.

Like many, Bell is frustrated by the shortage of skilled operators and disappointed at the industry’s ability to attract and recruit the next generation. For this reason, Thornton Print established its apprenticeship scheme in 2021 as a key initiative. However, this alone will not solve the problem, as there is an increasing need for more automation on the production floor. With this in mind, the Performance P7 is fitted with a Martin Automatic unwind/splicer to allow non-stop production, which saves both time and substrate and, ultimately, money.

To maintain quality, Thornton Print has all the customary accreditations from ISO, BRCGS, and FSC. The company has an extensive print portfolio covering various sectors, with a strong presence in BWS, confectionary, and household markets. Material and adhesive diversity combined with the company’s print embellishment techniques means it can offer high-value cartons, booklets, leaflets, tags and sleeves, many of which are produced for leading brands. It can also provide sustainable labels and packaging.

Speaking for Mark Andy UK, sales manager Antony Cotton said: 'To see a Performance P7 being very effectively used for wet glue labels and paperboard products is unusual but is living proof of what we have always said about the Performance Series – they are great allrounders with a wide variety of capabilities. The P5 and P7 at Thornton Print highlight this versatility, and we are proud to support this valuable customer.'

Today, the DSR Group employs around 150 people and enjoys and annual turnover of over 24m GBP. Alongside Thornton Print, the group includes NBM (Northumbria Blown Mouldings), which manufactures plastic containers and is BRCGS certified for food packaging; PMP (Plastic and Metal Profiles), which is a branding specialist for signage, POS material, nameplates, badges and tags; and Liquiform, which specializes in liquid packaging for its manufactured household products.