Folding carton producer Graphic Packaging International (GPI) has installed new Bobst machinery at its Leeds facility in the UK.

BobstGPI

Image: GPI has installed new Bobst machinery at its Leeds facility. Photo: courtesy of Graphic Packaging International.

To expand manufacturing capacity and meet increased requirements, the company has installed Bobst Masterfold 110 machinery, including Easyfeeder / Batch Inverter 4, and Cartonpack 4 at the facility.

GPI said the seven-figure investment will help the company to expand current output volume by 120 million cartons per year to meet increasing industry and consumer needs.

Bobst’s Easyfeeder combined with Batch Inverter 4 is helpful in slicker feeding of blanks with shorter changeover times, as well as reduces feed-related stops.

The machine has been developed to maximise capacity and deliver high-speed folder-gluer functionality, as well as quicker feeding.

Cartonpack 4 is an automatic packer that instantly loads folded and glued cartons to shipping containers, enabling to reduce production costs and minimize safety hazards.

GPI is already using seven Bobst die-cutters and six Bobst gluing lines, which are generating 1.9 billion cartons per year, at the Leeds plant.

GPI Leeds plant manager Dean Naylor said: “With rising public interest in sustainable packaging solutions, GPI is experiencing growing demand from private labels and retailers. Last year the company saw an upsurge in companies seeking solutions in folding carton packaging, so it is vital for us to ensure we keep pace.

“Customers now expect tighter turnarounds alongside shorter runs with further functionality, tactile and graphic effects – all with impeccable quality, accuracy and innovation.”

In May this year, GPI opened a new beverage packaging development center at its Bristol facility in the UK.

The new development centre, dubbed Hub, serves as a central point for the firm’s European beverage design organization.

It is said to be established as a nucleus for structural and graphic design excellence, and will coordinate with the existing regional resource base.

The new centre features latest graphics, 3D design and digital rendering tools to enhance the firm’s scope for innovation, as well as advanced communications facilities to improve inter-site collaboration.