K.W. Doggett Fine Paper is moving to meet the growing demands of the packaging sector, taking on two new heavyweight sheeters with board processing capabilities that are set to go into its sites in NSW and Victoria.
The paper merchant announced on 11 June it had signed a deal for the two new sheeters – both MarquipWardUnited TSKM 1650 twin synchronous knife sheeters - with the first set to arrive in September and the second in October.
According to Simon Doggett, managing director of K.W. Doggett, the move to take on the new sheeters, one of which claims a large sheet size capacity of up to 1650mm by 2080mm, was driven by the surging demands from the packaging sector.
“We chose to invest in the new technology to improve the quality of our service offering and assist the company’s growth strategy, particularly in order to meet the growing demands of the packaging sector,” says Doggett.
Packaging is a key product portfolio for K.W. Doggett and the company says it is eager to enhance its service offering in the sector with greater sheeting capacity, increased output and speed.
Both of the new sheeters are equipped to take on board as well as paper, with cross cut knife technology designed to provide clean cut edges on stock up to 1000gsm.
For James McGrath (pictured left), K.W. Doggett NSW state manager, the addition of one of the new sheeters to the company’s NSW site will not only increase its turnaround and output, but also allow for a larger range of product sizes.
“We installed our original sheeter over two years ago and our objective was to provide a customized service to the NSW packaging market,” he says. “This also opened new opportunities in the printers’ market for specialised sheeting requirements. The new sheeter will make our production capabilities even better by providing quicker turnaround times and increased output. It will also allow us to offer a larger range of sizes.”
In Victoria, the installation of the new sheeter will complement the current SHM machine at the plant. Cameron Backman, K.W. Doggett Victoria state manager, says he is also keen to increase the capacity of his operation.
“It’s important that we keep our equipment up-to-date,” he says. “Soon we will have one of the most modern sheeting facilities in the country thanks to the TSKM.”
Steve Brimble, vice president of Sheeter Sales at MarquipWardUnited – the company from which K.W. Doggett purchased the new machines – says: “We have worked closely together [with K.W. Doggett] to study the current and future needs of the Australian printing and packaging market and I feel confident that sheets delivered from this machine will maximise the potential of the many high-speed modern printing presses in the region.”