UK-based independent pharmaceutical packaging and food packaging manufacturer Firstan has streamlined its production processes by piloting a newly developed interface between Esko’s Automation Engine Connect and EFI’s Radius software applications.
Image: The Firstan’s interface connects Esko Automation Engine with EFI Radius. Photo: courtesy of Esko.
Firstan produces more than 500 million cartons per year at its next generation facility in Cambridgeshire, primarily serving the pharmaceutical, healthcare, cosmetics and food retail industries.
Esko said the new solution has been designed to reduce errors and increase efficiency for a Packaging Connected workflow and help move the packaging industry into a more automated future.
The project has been implemented following two years of £7m investment by Firstan in two Komori 18,000sph presses including a six-color Lithrone GLX640 and a multi-unit Lithrone GLX40RP and a Bobst Expercut die cutting blanking machine.
Firstan, which has two main divisions, is engaged in producing one billion cartons a year.
The firm’s Firstan Pharmaceutical divisions develops and manufactures pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging, while Firstan Quality Packaging division supplies food, confectionery, cosmetics and beverage cartons and sleeves.
Esko said that the combination of Esko’s Automation Engine and EFI’s Radius packaging MIS solution allows Firstan to deliver market-leading quality and service.
Firstan IT manager Dean Murden said: “This was essentially a time saving and risk reduction exercise. We had duplicate data entry going on across both Esko and EFI Radius systems.
“They were effectively siloed solutions. Formerly, artwork approval status required manual updates in Radius.
“This integration enables us to make use of a much more automated workflow, from receipt of artwork through to step and repeat, whilst also reducing risk due to data entry error.”
The seamless connection of the workflow and power of Automation Engine with EFI Radius, allow rapid deployment and speedy return on investment through increased time savings and reduced errors.
EFI packaging product director said Kevin Blakey said: “EFI has enjoyed a highly positive relationship with both Firstan and Esko for a number of years, and this project represents an exciting step forward for the packaging industry.
“We are very proud to have been part of this project to deliver a highly optimized print production workflow.”