Harper prepares to start up European anilox roll manufacture

Anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America is currently training personnel from Harper Graphics, Germany, in the production of XLT laser-engraved anilox rolls, as the company gears up for the start of European production.
Harper Graphics, Harper Corporation’s licensed affiliate in Europe, was established early last year through an agreement with Inometa, the world’s major producer of carbon fiber rollers, headquartered in Herford, Germany. The facility is scheduled to begin manufacturing Harper products upon the fulfillment of extensive quality control testing, which will be completed in mid June. In addition, American technicians will work closely with their German counterparts during the initial start-up of the European operation.
Planning, training and quality control development have been underway in the Germany facility since the announcement of the Harper Graphics licensing agreement, to ensure the manufacture of anilox rolls identical to those made in Harper’s other facilities. Harper says internal audits confirm that regardless of whether it is produced in Harper’s Charlotte, Green Bay or Thailand location, the finished product is identical. ‘We have no doubt that the same will be true with the Herford, Germany, facility.’
Margie Harper Kluttz, executive vice president of Harper Corporation, said, ‘We anticipate that our presence in Europe through the Harper Graphics alliance will have a substantial positive impact on our growth, since the manufacturing location and delivery of the finished product is more important today than at any time in our history. We are very pleased with the reception of the Harper Graphics manufacturing location by European converters.’ HarperScientific flexo pressroom supplies and Harper GraphicSolutions technical services are also available through Harper Graphics.