Held at end-to-end flexible packaging solution service provider Richflex’s premises in Centurion, Gauteng, the event marked the official launch of the newly installed BOBST VISION CI flexographic press.

This state-of-the-art machine, sourced from Beswick Machinery – the official distribution agents for BOBST equipment in southern Africa – promises to usher in a new era of efficiency, sustainability and innovation in flexo printing.

The event kicked off with an introduction from Bruce Beswick, managing director of Beswick Machinery, and Eric Pavone, BOBST’s business director for its AFMETR region. They welcomed guests and delved into the cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions that BOBST brings to the flexible packaging industry. ‘BOBST’s advanced machines offer unparalleled versatility with features such as inline gravure units, lamination, foiling and screen printing.

Refering to the BOBST MASTER M6, Bruce says this inline flexo press is dedicated to profitable production of short-run narrow- and mid-web flexible packaging.

‘These machines are highly automated, allowing for quick changeovers and low waste, representing the future of profitable short-run label and flexible packaging printing technology,’ Bruce highlighted.

According to him, oneECG, BOBST’s extended colour gamut technology, is deployed on the MASTER M6 for improved time-to-market, print quality, cost reduction and better sustainability.

The highlight of the Open Days was the demonstration of the BOBST VISION CI press.

The press exhibited remarkable efficiency, with the first changeover taking just over seven minutes and producing only eight metres of waste. The third and final demonstration was even more impressive, achieving a changeover in just six minutes and 37 seconds with less than seven metres of waste, all while operating at a speed of 400m/min and producing zero-fault packaging. ‘These statistics are truly amazing and demonstrate the transformative impact of the VISION CI press on flexible packaging production,’ Eric remarked.

Commitment to sustainability

Throughout the event, BOBST’s commitment to sustainability was evident. Giovanni Caprioglio, sales director of coating at BOBST, emphasised the need for convergence and sustainability in the industry.

Giovanni showcased the latest breakthroughs in laminating technology, highlighting BOBST’s new EXPERTLAM 900, a versatile machine capable of both coating and laminating. He presented advanced solutions tailored for a variety of applications, emphasising BOBST’s expertise in aluminium coating and laminating across multiple industries. Giovanni stressed the company’s dedication to developing customised solutions, driven by a relentless commitment to quality and innovation. He also addressed the pressing challenges in the printing industry, advocating for improved efficiency through automation and underscoring the urgent need for a more streamlined, efficient system. ‘Our focus on developing customised solutions and our commitment to quality and innovation are at the forefront of our sustainability efforts,’ he stated.

Dennis Hughill, regional sales director for BOBST Manchester, spoke about the oneBARRIER FibreCycle, a high barrier, recycle-ready, fibre-based solution developed in collaboration with partners like UPM and Michelman. ‘The oneBARRIER FibreCycle addresses the challenges of creating high barrier paper-based material and represents a significant step towards sustainable flexible packaging,’ Dennis explained.

BOBST technology sales manager Michael Steggemann and CI flexo competence centre manager Oliver Leithäuser demonstrated the precision mounting capabilities of BOBST’s smartGPS technology. This showcase highlighted the integration of BOBST smartGPS technology on flexo plate mounting equipment available from its Bielefeld facility. ‘Our ongoing investment in R&D for process management at the prepress stage reflects our commitment to continuously enhancing smartGPS technology and functionality since its inception in 2008. The integration of our latest mounting and scanning technology also synchronises workflow with the latest generation of our presses and related equipment,’ Michael stated. ‘The plate mounting technology is a crucial component of smartGPS and we’re confident that our technologies will result in increased press uptime, reduced waste and superior print quality,’ Oliver added.

ACME Graphics CEO Hauke Liefferink gave a telling presentation on the advantages of ACME’s MultiGamut ECG colour system. ‘We’re proud to display our vision of bringing sustainability to packaging and print with our MultiGamut colour systems that dramatically reduce ink consumption.’

The Richflex vision

Dr Hussein Cassim, CEO and owner of Richflex, delivered an insightful presentation on the company’s journey and its strategic investments in cutting-edge packaging equipment. Founded in 2012, Richflex has quickly established itself as a major player in the flexible packaging market, catering to a broad customer base across Africa. With the acquisition of the BOBST VISION CI press, Richflex expects to triple its production capacity, significantly enhancing its ability to meet the packaging requirements of multinational customers.

The BOBST VISION CI press is designed to deliver efficient performance for all production lengths on a wide range of substrates. ‘The press’s compact and intelligently designed features ensure fast and efficient set-up, job changeovers and automated processes, resulting in consistent quality with minimal waste,’ Dr Hussein emphasised. The integration of the VISION CI press aligns seamlessly with Richflex’s goal of delivering high-quality packaging with short turnaround times, enhancing operational efficiency and providing better value to customers.

Reflecting on the after-sales service provided by Beswick Machinery, Dr Hussein expressed confidence in Beswick’s reputation and professionalism.

‘The technical backup team’s responsiveness and support, particularly from Riaan Hopley, Beswick Machinery’s web-fed and flexibles product manager, have been exemplary,’ he remarked. Riaan shared insights into the partnership, emphasising the strong relationship built over the years with Richflex.

‘Our collaboration aims to extend beyond machinery supply, with Richflex becoming a key partner for R&D and future sustainability initiatives in packaging.’

A bright future for flexible packaging

The installation of the BOBST VISION CI press at Richflex, facilitated by Beswick Machinery, represents a significant milestone in the advancement of flexible packaging in South Africa. This collaboration exemplifies a commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability, setting the stage for significant strides in the industry. As Richflex expands its footprint in the flexible packaging market, supported by this cutting-edge technology, their future of flexible packaging in southern Africa looks exceptionally promising.

In the words of Bruce: ‘This event and the installation of the VISION CI press mark the beginning of a new chapter in flexible packaging, where efficiency, sustainability and innovation converge to create unparalleled value for our customers.’

The success of the Flexible Packaging Open Days is a testament to the shared vision and collaborative efforts of Richflex, BOBST and Beswick Machinery, heralding a bright future for the industry.

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