UNI Packaging invests in UK manufacturing capability

Operating at a 1,650mm width with capacity up to 700mm rewind reel diameters on both 76mm and 152mm cores, the slitter features an automatic knife positioning system with 30-plus Tidland rotating knives. The SR9-DT can process a wide range of materials to a minimum slit width of 25mm on both cores. It also has an automatic electronic slit reel unloading system to meet the firm’s expanding production requirements.

The move, which follows a re-brand of the facility from Arteb Printing to UNI Packaging St. Helens, comes as the group continues to increase its UK market share in the short run, high quality flexible packaging market.

Alongside its SR9-DT purchase, UNI Packaging will also be making an investment in a new flexo press later in the year, while a third HP Indigo 20000 digital press is expected at some stage in late 2016/early 2017, and is planned to be located at the St. Helens site.

Coupled with capability upgrades, UNI Packaging’s St Helens site is being reorganized to create a more logical sequence to its manufacturing workflow, with a dedicated print hall being created, alongside a new lamination hall with a new high tech film curing facility and a brand new slitting hall.

‘The investment in UK manufacturing has strategic importance to the group,’ said UNI Packaging UK managing director, Rod Entwistle. ‘We have a growing market share in this country and with the resources across the group, we can operate on a different level to other flexible packaging companies, allowing us to give our customers a consistently high level of service at every stage.

‘Our customers benefit from the assurance of a UK manufacturing capability and the advantages that brings, such as the ability to address the growing trend for very short runs, fast response times and high print quality. Investments at the St. Helens site will provide the group with additional capacity at a time of ongoing expansion.’

Read more about UNI Packaging and its investment in digital in L&L issue 1, 2016