JH Label Solutions installs first Xeikon in Northern Ireland

The Xeikon 3030 digital label press and off-line Xeikon Dcoat finishing unit are now in production at the company’s Lurgan plant. The Xeikon 3030 has a variable web width ranging from 200mm (7.9in) up to 330mm (13in), and a top speed of 9.6m/min (31.5ft/min). The Xeikon Dcoat post-press unit provides laminating, varnishing, die-cutting and stripping capabilities.

JH Label Solutions, part of James Hamilton Group, was established almost seven years ago in order to produce high-quality and fast turnaround labels for the food packaging industry, in which it was already involved.

‘Clear plastic packaging suddenly got very popular in the FMCG sector and that also needed labeling,’ said Keith Hamilton, managing director of JH Label Solutions. ‘We relied on outsourcing labels prior, but eventually realized that there was a need in the market for a competitive, innovative, flexible with speed-to-market label printer.

‘It was decided that we should buy our own UV flexographic press and we ended up with three, two 8-color and one 4-color Nilpeter machines, in a very short time as demand for our label output grew rapidly and as beverage customers also wanted our high-quality and speed-to-market labels.

‘Digital is already beginning to follow a similar path. We recognized the trend in shorter run lengths, multiple label types and ever-tighter production deadlines. We had to react to our market and our customers’ market demands if we were to still lead the way in innovation, quality and speed.

‘Label printing technology is moving very quickly and we needed to be at the forefront of it. We went to the Xeikon Café event towards the end of 2014, and it was able to show us the latest in digital printing technology.’

Filip Weymans, director of segment marketing and business development for labels and packaging at Xeikon, said: ‘It is great to get our first machine into Northern Ireland, and to have been able to convince Keith and the team at JH Label Solutions that Xeikon is the perfect partner for them.

‘Similar to what happened when it moved into flexographic label printing, I am sure that it will not be long before it is looking for a second Xeikon to support the move into digital.’

‘The press was only up-and-running at the beginning of February and already word is getting around and the machine is very busy,’ added Hamilton.

‘As is our style, we wanted to be at the forefront of the digital label business in Northern Ireland. We did major market research on digital machines around Europe and analyzed their advantages and disadvantages, and Xeikon stood out as the supplier of choice as it understands our ethos of innovation, technology, quality and speed-to-market solutions. We saw Xeikon machines installed at some of its current customers, and they were very honest with us about the benefits of going digital, all of which helped us with our decision.’