Manufacturing News

BOBST Web-Fed Solutions

70 years of expertise to fulfill the Asian market requirements

It has been 70 years since the Champlain Company Inc., based in Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA, integrated a revolutionary new inking system into a rotogravure printing and converting line ) and instantly became the undisputed leader in the technology. Since that time, the print technology developed by Champlain has been developed continuously.

In 1956 when Champlain started to work with Bobst (Champlain is now completely integrated into Bobst and based in Switzerland under the name Bobst Web-Feb Solutions), a collaboration that led to the first Swiss-built line, which left Bobst's factory in Lausanne two years later.

The term "web-fed process" is used to define a complete, uninterrupted process, in a single machine path, from the roll of substrate to the finished folding carton.

The different processes, such as printing (face and reverse), varnishing, 100% quality control, embossing, creasing, cutting and stripping of waste are combined to produce a fully printed and converted carton. The commonly used converting methods are either flat-bed or rotary die cutting. Sheeting is used in combination with off-line finishing for either short run production or integration of various additional production processes. Many value adding processes, such as rotary embossing and/or punching, hot foil stamping, UV-varnishing, tear tape lamination and so on can be integrated into a web-fed machine in order to increase the value of packaging.

Asian market

Since installing the first Champlain press in Japan in 1961, hundreds of lines have been installed in Asia during the last 47 years.
Throughout its 70-year history, Bobst Web-Fed solutions has constantly pushed the technological barriers forward in order to meet the stringent market requirements, in particular those required by world-leading tobacco companies such as Philip Morris, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International.

Service in Asia

Given the large installation base, Bobst Web-Fed Solutions has been forced to set-up an extensive support and service network throughout Asia. Seeking to improve the service to its customers, Bobst Web-Fed Solutions set up its first Competence Centre in 2007, with many bases in Asia and a parts stock in Hong Kong. More than a hundred technicians are dedicated to support the ever-increasing installation base in Asia.
As part of itsservice, Bobst also offers a wide variety of productivity improvements through upgrades and retrofits, as well as thorough maintenance and training programs. The company frequently installs additional printing units, replaces flat-bed cutter-creaser units with rotary die-cutter modules, adds embossing stations and/or upgrades existing lines with the latest register and quality control systems.
The service competence combined with its technological know-how makes Bobst Web-Fed Solutions the preferred supplier for the vast majority of major packaging companies, not only in Asia, but also around the entire globe. Bobst Web-Fed Solutions is committed to service as a basis for highly valued partnerships with its esteemed clients.

India: TCPL Packaging

One of India's largest packaging manufacturers has changed its name. With effect from September 10, 2008, Twenty-First Century Printers Limited is now known as TCPL Packaging.

The company's principal activity is manufacturing and supply of packaging materials. Products include cartons, boxes, shells and hinge lid blanks required by various customers including the cigarette industry.

UK:FlexLink and ITM team up

The tobacco industry is investing heavily in new filter technologies, new packaging and improved production processes in order to meet increased demands from consumers. To satisfy these expectations and provide a world class offer for the entire secondary handling processes, FlexLink and ITM have decided to cooperate in order to optimize the offer from both companies.

ITM is the world leader in rod handling and FlexLink is the world leader in the handling of packaged tobacco products. By this cooperation the tobacco manufacturers will receive the best combination of products, expertise and service.

Within the cooperation, ITM, using first class FlexLink components within their solutions, intends to lead in the field of 'mass flow' applications for cigarettes and filters. FlexLink will focus on packet, carton and case handling applications, and no longer supply 'mass flow' solutions. FlexLink components will, on a continuing basis be sold to the entire tobacco industry. Both companies will continue to work with the tobacco manufacturers.

"By this agreement we are joining world leading expertise and experience of both companies to offer total solutions for the tobacco industry, supported by our global network," according to Andrzej Stanikowski, director of Product Strategy, ITM Group. "As a result of this cooperation, our customers will benefit from the highest level of delivered products and services already proven on the market."

"By both companies concentrating upon their core expertise, our customers in the tobacco industry are assured of receiving more focused offer development, and the very best solutions and support," added Paul McEllin, director Tobacco Industry, FlexLink. "We expect our business to grow this way."

Hitkari appointments

Hitkari Multifilters (Mumbai) has announced that Arjun Hitkari has joined the board of Hitkari Multifilters and all other Hitkari Group of Companies (KKH Group). The KKH Group was founded in 1896 and has successfully grown over the years.

Arjun is the fifth generation Hitkari to be in the management of KKH Group.

KKH Group is continuing to diversify with the help of consultants and is planning acquisitions and JV's outside India with particular emphasis on Europe. Kalpen Shukla with experience in Unilever and British Gas has been appointed as a management consultant and Ajay Kandoth as the engineering head to look into these activities.

Following the sad demise of K.K. Hitkari, Arun K. Hitkari now takes over as chairman and managing director of KKH Group.