Chesapeake Belfast Installs Komori S40 Carton Press

This will allow the site to produce packaging that meets the highest production specifications demanded by markets, such as Japan, where exacting quality is vital.

1/11/2011 --- Chesapeake Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Packaging, a leading global supplier of paperboard packaging, has installed a six colour Komori Lithrone S40 printing press at its Belfast operation. The press, which is part of a major divisional investment programme, is almost identical to another S40 press which was installed at Chesapeake Leicester earlier in the year. The press is specified with Komori’s highest automation package, which includes fully automated plate changing and the Komori KHS-AI fast make ready system.

The investment at the site exceeds £1.5m. Chris Dears, Chesapeake’s Managing Director at Belfast, said, “We have been very pleased with the performance of the S40 press at our Leicester site and expect to enjoy similar benefits at Belfast. The press will strengthen our capacity and position the operation to benefit from further growth. The press will also provide fantastic production flexibility as it is configured to set-up and run at very high speed, which will allow us to meet tight deadline requirements with top-quality work.”

The Belfast site, which produces folding cartons, self-adhesive labels and patient information leaflets, primarily serves customers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector but it also supplies other market sectors as well. The press is equipped with the Komori PQA-S print assessment system which inspects 100% of printed sheets and identifies even the most minute quality discrepancies. This provides an extra layer of security which emphasises the site’s firm commitment to delivering the highest quality products each and every time. This will allow the site to produce packaging that meets the highest production specifications demanded by markets, such as Japan, where exacting quality is vital.

Chris Dears commented, “We have worked closely with Invest NI to access practical advice and support, particularly linked to training and people development. This has been crucial to the success of the Belfast operation and helped to form a strong foundation for growth. Invest NI’s expertise and advice has helped to save both time and money which is thoroughly appreciated.”

The press is part of a global investment programme that has benefited many of Chesapeake’s sites. As well as new production equipment, investment has also included the installation of supporting items such as image verification systems which have further strengthened customer service levels.

Chris Dears concludes: “The configuration of our presses provide us with a very robust and flexible system that will help us ensure we continue to delivery the very best in printed cartons to our customers.”