Skanem invests in Bobst Master M5 flexo press

Skanem, one of the leading multinational label providers, has installed a new Bobst Master M5 flexo press at its Nairobi site in Kenya to automate its production line, with additional productivity enabled by a digital workflow with integrated printing and converting technologies.

Skanem in Nairobi exports labels across 13 African countries, servicing a wide range of customers across the beverage, food, personal care, home care, pharmaceutical, automotive, and industrial packaging industries. The company prints various substrates on this press, including pressure-sensitive labels, BOPP wraparound labels, shrink sleeve labels and in-mold labels.

The main priority for Skanem is the guarantee of quality labels. According to the company, the Master M5 ensures high quality and consistency at low operating costs.

Sachen Gudka, managing director of Skanem Interlabels Nairobi Limited
Sachen Gudka, managing director of Skanem Interlabels Nairobi Limited

‘For us, everything is about quality,’ said Sachen Gudka, managing director of Skanem Interlabels Nairobi Limited. ‘Our customers rightly demand quality, and we want to be able to provide them with the highest quality labels available on the market. With the Master M5, we can feel confident about being able to give our customers exactly what they want.

‘With current packaging trends, run lengths are getting shorter, and SKU proliferation is getting larger. This is where the production workflow with the Master M5 is very appealing. In addition, printing and converting speed and ease of use are important factors, along with the quality and speed of service support. Bobst ticks all these boxes.’

Sustainability is another major focus for Skanem, with a stated aim to create growth for its customers based on sustainable labelling and packaging in evolving markets. This is another area the Master M5 can support with systems and solutions that reduce downtime and waste.

‘We know that if we buy cheap machines, they tend to be more expensive in the long run,’ added Gudka. ‘We know we can trust BOBST. It’s a strong name, with a strong history of packaging machinery and a strong pipeline filled with innovation.’