Heidelberg press bolsters Benson production

The Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106 installed by UK folding carton producer Benson Group has made an immediate impact to the converter’s business, contributing four million sheets during its first month of operation.

The press, which was installed at the Benson Bardon site in April and is the first press purchase since managing director Mark Kerridge and commercial director Nick Benson led a management buyout of the company at the end of 2011, was unveiled by Heidelberg at Drupa 2012.

Benson has been specified it with six printing units running low-migration UV inks and is configured with a dedicated in-line coater. In keeping with the plant’s environmental focus, the new press will run alcohol-free from day one.

The XL 106 (pictured, top) also features Prinect Axis Control, a spectral measurement device that includes the ability to scan in and store company specific Pantone colours.

The new 18,000sph B1 press sits alongside two Speedmaster XL 105 machines already installed by Benson at its Bardon site, and replace a competitor’s B1 format press.

Kerridge (pictured, right) said: ‘The spec matches the requirements of our particular markets and, being consistent with previous installations, continues to build on the site’s ability to respond flexibly to our very dynamic market place. The ability to produce any job on any press enables this site to print over 1,250 individual jobs each month.’

Mike Owens, general manager at the Bardon site, said: ‘The four million sheet production figure for the press was particularly impressive as operator training was still taking place during that period.

‘Make-ready on the XL 106 is especially slick, and we have been delighted with the quality of the work being produced, as well as its productivity.

‘With 20 million plus cartons being printed here every week there is little room for adjustment in our production routine.’

Early running figure comparisons with the XL 105 machines at the plant have shown that the new press is producing up to 2,000 sheets per hour more, due largely to the time taken to change from one job to the next.

Matt Rockley, B1 product manager for Heidelberg UK, said: ‘Hats off to the production team for this excellent output. The press installation was seamless with great co-operation from the Bardon site staff, and the press produced at maximum speed from the start.’