Meeting the demand for bespoke packaging sheets from its Sydney customers convinced BJ Ball it was worthwhile to invest in a sheeter for its Prospect facility.
The new machine follows close on the heels of a second Melbourne sheeter installed in October last year and brings to four the number of converting pieces of equipment operated by BJ Ball around the country; two in Melbourne, one each in Sydney and Perth. The new machine will come on line at Prospect in early March and is expected to operate 24 hours a day, five days a week.
According to Andrew Lees, national converting manager, the new machine matches the demand from customers for different sizes in packaging stock.
"We are delighted to be able to expand our national service offering in line with the growing customer packaging board requirements,” he said.
The Sydney machine will shorten delivery times. It will encourage customers to broaden the range of stocks they are using.
According to Brad Partington, packaging sales, it's all about building customers' confidence in having the right product on hand when it's needed. "This will provide many of our national and Sydney-based converters and manufacturers with the confidence of knowing converting facilities are now part of the local BJ Ball market offering in NSW."
With turnaround times under pressure, Tony Bertrand, marketing manager, is confident the machine will pay for itself in added value to the customers.
"We see it as an essential value adding service. In packaging every box is different. It allows us to better meet out customers' supply chain demands, " he said.
Bertrand foreshadowed a big year of growth for the merchant with the liklihood of further investments and acquisitions.
Among the packaging stocks to go through the new two-knife sheeter will be Tambrite, Formakote, Hi Q, Incada Silk and IP Everest.