When Simon took responsibility for Gravure Cylinders in March 2011 as a shareholder and as MD, he brought a wealth of print-related experience to the business. His predecessor, Craig Gilmour, had served as MD for ten years and has remained in the business as the company’s chairman and a major shareholder.
Those management changes underlined Gravure Cylinders’ ongoing commitment to transformation, while investment in specialised engraving technology confirms its pledge to provide superior product quality and service to the packaging industry.
An impressive Daetwyler electro-mechanical engraver has enhanced the company’s capabilities to produce gravure cylinders according to meet global standards, while a Schepers fibreoptic laser engraver has allowed Gravure Cylinders to diversify into the flexographic market.
The Schepers engraver facilitates the production of new and refurbished ceramic anilox rolls that reach OEM specifications, catering for line counts of 40 to 500 line/cm. Superior quality gravure cylinders are also produced using the Schepers laser equipment.
‘Over the years, we’ve earned an excellent reputation as a trustworthy and quality driven company, and I firmly believe we can grow the business even further, especially in the flexographic printing sector,’ Simon comments.
As an added service, Gravure Cylinders’ technical consultants offer on-site inspections of anilox rolls on flexographic presses anywhere in South Africa. Using a dedicated microscope, they can establish cell condition and provide a detailed report.
‘Our customers can expect our consultants to express the importance of refurbishing anilox rolls, to restore the original volume of ink transfer required for high-quality printing,’ continues Simon. ‘We’re a premium supplier of printing cylinders and quality is a critical aspect of our daily lives. We believe we have the right combination of competence, expertise and high-tech equipment to exceed customer expectations.’
Certainly the company looks set for another 50 years of success.