Derbyshire’s Secura Labels has made the largest investment in its 35 year history with the purchase of a six colour, full UV Proflex 330E flexo press from Focus Label Machinery.

The Proflex E is a precision lineshaft driven, modular press available with print widths of 250 and 330mm and a variety of optional drying systems, including full UV, LED, infra-red, with optional chill rolls for heat-sensitive substrates.

This press was built in 330mm configuration and full UV drying, was equipped as standard with touch screen HMI operator interface panels for all press control functions, plus storage of job information for future reference. The new features have reduced set up time and material wastage, resulting in less downtime and higher productivity. The operators can control all aspects of press operation, from any of the HMI touch screen control panels and can store job information for future retrieval on repeat orders. The modular design of the system means that future addition of extra print heads, and other optional equipment, is readily facilitated.

To assist with accurate flexo plate mounting, Secura also purchased the newly designed Focus Platemate 2 video plate mounting system with twin digital cameras and a high resolution colour LED monitor.

The new press was initially brought in to enhance production of their high quality self-adhesive labels, leading to an increase in efficiency and productivity on the shop-floor. This would allow Secura to target new markets and customers whilst consolidating their existing, but this has already exceeded expectations.

Simon Miller, managing director of Secura commented, ‘This is our third purchase of a Focus press and has represented a big leap forward for us in terms of productivity and flexibility. Our business has grown rapidly in recent years and we needed to increase our efficiency and capacity. The press has opened up new extra work from existing customers, the quality seeing us supplying POS and product labelling the staff enjoy spotting while out shopping!

‘From a production point of view the Proflex allows us to improve throughput, ie move current jobs running three to four across on our existing six colour press to run six to eight across on the Proflex, so improving margin while allowing us to maintain prices to our customers and also compete for new business. We are already looking at the addition of delam/relam and cold foil on the back of work won thanks to the quality we have been able to produce on the Proflex. The press has allowed us to extend our range to our large number of Trade customers, many now passing all of their work through us.’