The Easymatrix 106CS will be installed at the Glasgow-based trade finisher’s 3,716sqm factory in the second quarter of the year. It was chosen for its automation, flexibility and ease of use.
The machine can handle work up to 750x1,060mm, from 90 to 2,000gsm paper and board, and up to 4mm thick corrugated material. It has a quick makeready capability and runs at up to 7,700sph.
The device can handle a wide range of cartons including spirits boxes, food packaging and promotional and decorative items such as cosmetics boxes.
ACA director Dara Changizi said: “This machine will help us to expand our packaging capacity as we take on work from all four nations of the UK. Packaging was 50% of our sales before the pandemic started but is now 75% and growing.
“We recognise the brand strength of Heidelberg and the robust build and level of automation on the Easymatrix. Features like the touchscreen control panel and easy exchange of die-cutting tools will make it easy for our operators to run.
“We were aware that one of our customers, Zenith Group, uses Heidelberg die-cutting and foiling machines and that influenced us too.”
ACA offers around 70 different finishing processes. It has BRC double-A packaging certification and ISO 9001 quality accreditation, and its other services include foiling, gluing, varnishing, laminating, folding, stitching and binding as well as supplying blocking dies and laser formes.
Over the last 12 months the business has invested in a raft of new kit including a B&R Moll Compact In-Line System folder-gluer, an Autobond Mini 105 with double heated roller for lamination, a B&H foil cutter 1450, a UPG D1200 double-station carton erecting forming machine, and a Sakurai MS102A UV varnishing machine plus automated pre-press, wash up and coating.
For its formes operation it has also recently taken on a Lasercomb CLS 2115 laser cutter and a Lasercomb ProPertinax CMC matrix/counter maker. Last month it also bought a Serviform LineA die-making bender machine, the first of its kind in the UK.
Pre-pandemic ACA had a turnover of £4.6m.
