The new line joins three similar models already in place at the digital label printer’s Willenhall, West Midlands plant and will provide additional varnishing, laminating, die cutting and flood and spot coating capabilities.
The 500mm-web width line is being installed in the next few weeks to complement CS Labels’ Xeikon 3500 digital label press, which arrived in September 2012.
The system, which was partly funded by a Regional Growth Fund grant, was modified to enable the company to print double-sided and takes CS Labels’ Xeikon count to three, joining two 3300s.
One of the 3300s benefitted from a speed upgrade in the investment programme, which has helped to boost print output by 50% along with the arrival of a Roland VersaCamm VS-540 wide format printer last November and the new 3500.
CS Labels also took on the neighbouring unit at Willenhall Trading Estate, almost doubling its production space to around 1,020sqm. This has created space for a new interview room, board room and production studio.
The company, which claims to be Europe’s largest roll-to-roll Xeikon house, has also taken on six new staff over 2012/2013 in digital printing, finishing, graphic design and sales support roles.
CS Labels managing director Simon Smith said: "We want to remain at the forefront of digital label printing and have invested to increase output to mirror increased work from recent significant contract wins.
"Speed-wise, technology has increased to a point where digital covers the majority of our customer base. Orders printed to on-demand run lengths are becoming the norm because customers are now looking at cash flow rather than holding extended stock on the shelf for even 12 months at a time.
"Digital labels are now being produced to follow production plans rather than marketing plans, and our on-demand offering means there is less waste and storage space. We’re at the forefront of working with large companies to take advantage of this whilst still offering excellent value for money."
