ROI Key to Britepak ACCUBRAILLE Investment

Essentially a single low-cost tool that can be mounted onto the BOBST EXPERTFOLD folder gluer (and usefully retrofitted too), ACCUBRAILLE can emboss any of the four panels, irrespective of Braille language.  With no offline tool set-up, downtime is kept to a minimum, and the unit is automatically synchronised to reduce waste, and allow the folder gluer to run at top speed. By embossing after the feeder, jams associated with infeed problems are avoided and the unit can be made-ready in less than five minutes using just one tool. BOBST says that the accuracy of the unit allows embossing to be achieved close to cut or folded edges, and the quality of the Braille dots remains stable throughout the run.

Kuben Pillay, Gluing Manager at Britepak is full of praise for the latest investment. 

“Our overall performance output on the Expertfold has met and exceeded our expectation, with enhanced quality and surety of consistent glue application.  Our client base is becoming more and more driven to improve throughput on their automated packing lines, with some having packing speeds of 260 units per minute, so under or over glued cartons would not do! Our investment in the glue detection device has proven we can deliver side seam glue performance to aid in delivering the desired efficiencies. To put this in perspective, the BOBST EXPERTFOLD with HANDYPACK GT produces at an output rate of 130 percent of our other two folder gluers combined, and has revolutionised our business."  With both floor space, and the exponential rise of labour costs, seen as major production headaches, Britepak has, at one stroke, achieved a significant boost to its production efficiency.

The company is also proud of its in-house pre-press capability.  This includes a Heidelberg Suprasetter, which, according to John Latter, has sped up the whole process of converting artwork to plates and proofs, and improved the quality of finished cartons.  Printing at Britepak is carried out on a bank of Heidelberg and KBA offset litho presses, which Latter believes will remain the first-choice process of carton houses for many years to come, despite the advance of digital print technology.  “I’m aware of it, and will monitor its progress, but see it more as a complementary process for the time being,” he said.  BOBST Autoplatens with full stripping capability, handle Britepak’s die cutting.

According to Latter, the company’s continued success can be attributed to four key factors: a loyal and growing customer base; support from a financial backer in Transpaco that understands the industry because of its other group companies; a well-motivated and strong management team onsite, which is empowered to act; and a strong and ongoing relationship with Beswick Machinery, for the supply and support of BOBST equipment, as well as other service partners.  As Transpaco is keen to increase its stake in the packaging market, Latter believes there are exciting times ahead for Britepak.  With customers cutting volumes by shortening run lengths and looking to pass the responsibility and cost of inventory back up the line, investment demands are constantly changing.  “Our next tranche of equipment will be a printing press, a die cutter, and a folder gluer in that order” he said, “or preferably all at once!”