Anilox provider Cheshire Anilox Technology has been acquired by The Daetwyler Group, becoming an independent company within an organisation with a “continuous growth strategy”. Cheshire said its entire workforce and corporate structure will remain in place, even after integration with the new owner.
Sonia Arcos, Cheshire Anilox managing director, commented: “The integration into Daetwyler’s global sales structure is an important step for Cheshire. Together, we can open up new markets and expand our expertise with anilox rollers, doctor blades, inks and coatings in a targeted manner.”
Though Cheshire’s main markets are the UK and EU, part of the plan going forward is for the company’s expertise to be utilised in setting up production for anilox rollers in the US.
From a Daetwyler perspective, the investment in anilox rollers is intended as a complement to its existing product portfolio, with Daetwyler Swisstec AG known worldwide for its doctor blades, and Rotoflex AG developing and distributing inks and coatings for flexible packaging and security applications.
Ralph Daetwyler, Group CEO for Daetwyler, said: ”Our in-depth understanding of processes has been the basis of our success for decades. Through the acquisition, we are expanding our technological expertise and thus creating tangible advantages for our customers. This acquisition is an important step in reliably meeting future requirements and actively driving the development of the industry.”
The announcement comes hard on the heels of Cheshire upgrading its coating capabilities with the installation of Oerlikon Metco’s latest-generation thermal spray controller, UniCoat 3 Plasma Triplex System – said to be the first system of its kind to be installed in the UK.
Ms Arcos said the investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. “UniCoat 3 gives us greater control, traceability, and reliability, ensuring we continue to deliver industry-leading anilox performance with outstanding coating quality and long-lasting durability,” she added.
The upgrade is set to deliver enhance enhanced precision, process stability, and repeatability, supported by advanced control algorithms, real-time monitoring, and improved data logging for Cheshire Anilox’s coating system. The company said that the thermal spray controller will strengthen coating quality, consistency, and production efficiency across a range of applications.
Phil Smith, production director at Cheshire Anilox, commented: “From an operational standpoint, this upgrade is a game-changer. The improved process stability and multi-coat capability allow us to achieve highly consistent results while giving our operators better visibility and control than ever before.”
