Initiating the programme with an Indigo installation at the start of this year, the Edale was installed around six weeks ago and the rewinders are coming in this week. An AB Graphic Digicon finishing line is also slated for installation in December. Managing director Trevor Smith described the programme as a “complete modernisation of all our equipment”.
The Edale, Amberley's first new flexo press for more than 20 years, replaces two Mark Andy flexo presses and was unveiled at an event attended by Amberley founder Chris Strong last week.
“We replaced two presses with one to enable us to do some improvements to its efficiency but also to take on new products, such as unsupported films,” said Smith.
“It’s a big decision for us because we had four flexo presses at one stage and we have moved heavily to digital, putting our first Indigo in 14 years ago and now with two more. We didn’t think we’d ever invest in another flexo press but have a core amount of flexo work that hasn’t gone away, so we do what our customers want not what we want.
“We believe it’s more than twice as productive as our old presses, which isn’t surprising seeing as they were 21 and 24 years old.”
Configured with AiiR print automation and intended mainly for peel-and-reveal label jobs, the FL-3 has a web width of 350mm and can run at up to 200m/min, taking substrates ranging in weight between 12μm and 450μm. It is highly automated, with automated colour control, register control and an AR camera system.
“We really like Edale, think that they are vibrant for a forward looking business and are looking forward to working with Edale as much as the press to be honest,” added Smith.
Alongside the Edale and having brought in its first BGM rewinder three months ago, another three are now slated for installation over the next six months, meaning that all six of Amberley’s Arpeco rewinders will have been replaced within 18 months.
£6.5m-turnover Amberley employs 62 staff, one of which is apprentice Ryan Samways, who won PrintWeek’s Trainee of the Year award earlier this month.
