Appliance Testing Supplies in Victoria becomes the inaugural site for the new narrow web digital press, signalling the start of Gallus Australia as the responsible partner for sales and service of the iconic brand in the Australia/NZ/Oceania region.
The Rowville-based label and tag producer is a leading supplier of specialised accessories for the Australian appliance testing market. The investment represents a major breakthrough in digital labels and establishes Gallus Australia as the sole supplier for the Linoprint L.
According to Jason Kiekebosch, owner of ATS, the decision to be the first to install a Linoprint L came after extensive research and comparisons with other digital presses. He travelled extensively throughout Europe and the US checking out what is available.
“It’s bit of a leap of faith for us, but sometimes you have to roll the dice. It is putting your eggs in one basket but I looked at the other inkjet technologies and this is the best. The Kyocera inkjet heads on the Linoprint produce the finest quality,” he said.
The Linoprint L is replacing some hot foil stamping and thermal transfer equipment at ATS where although volumes are fairly small compared to commercial label converters they are enough to justify the investment.
It is, however, a future-oriented decision for ATS. “The press allows us to print on some very unique substrates. Its UV inkjet performs very well on the ‘blue wool scale’ test for colour durability. It will allow us to expand our industrial printing,” he said.
He said that although the operation of the Linoprint L is fairly straightforward the workflow adjustments are complex. At present ATS is undergoing training on the Heidelberg Prinect software from Heidelberg technicians. Gallus engineers are also at the Rowville factory to make sure the initial installation goes without a hitch.
“This is a very significant installation for us. It gives Australian label printers confidence when making their choice in narrow web digital presses. They can now see a working press installation, not simply a showroom model under controlled conditions,” said James Rodden, managing director, Gallus Australia.
He maintains that the Gallus reputation for quality narrow web label presses will give the sector confidence in the new technology. “Label printers know that we understand the industry and how digital technology can integrate and enhance their production. They know that we will always recommend the most appropriate technology for their needs,” he said.
According to Gallus, the new press, which was launched at drupa last year, is perfectly suitable for low embellishment 4C-label jobs or 4C-high quality insetting jobs in a hybrid production environment. It complements the Gallus short run solution portfolio, which already includes the Gallus ECS 340 as narrow web label press and the Gallus 340 C as digital converting machine. As a backbone for efficient short-run job handling and management, the Gallus Print Shop Concept is supported by Heidelberg CERM MIS Software solutions.
“This press is the perfect fit for our narrow web customers to produce at a late stage different versions of preprinted and precut labels. Due to its high production speed of up to 48m/min in the 4 C mode and its high register accuracy it is well adapted to print on slim rolls,” said Rodden.
The ATS press at Rowville feeds into a custom-made online finishing system from local manufacturer, Rotary Engineering, which incorporates some flexo printing.
Gallus Australia will be exhibiting at PacPrint Stand #3924. James Rodden looks forward to welcoming customers to the stand.