Installed in the run up to Christmas, the machine is coming to the end of its commissioning and training period this month with the assistance of Bobst.

Barnstaple, North Devon-based Atlas introduced the machine as an expansion to its kit due to its capability to complete a wide array of complex folding and gluing applications. It joins another Bobst machine, a Visionfold 145 A2 folder-gluer, onsite.

Operations director Vince McDermott said: “Investing such a significant sum in the new Expertfold, we had a wide range of considerations to take into account, but the main deciding factor was our existing, good relationship with Bobst.

“Its ability to work on a wide range of complex designs means we can fulfil all kinds of applications on a single machine rather than bringing in bespoke machines for each.

“We are always looking to be innovative, as this new UK-first machine shows, and its extra capabilities, capacity and high focus on quality means it will have a huge benefit for the business and its efficiency.”

The Expertfold 230 A4 can fold corrugated board up to 35mm thick and handle four- and six-corner crash-lock containers, as well as four-corner boxes on short and longer runs. It features the Accuject XL system which, linked with any quality control system, ejects skewed cartons where glue has been missed or not applied.

Able to take cartonboard up to 800gsm and heavy solid board up to 2,000gsm, it runs at speeds from 20-200m/min with a blank width up to 2,300mm.

Billing itself as “one of the UK’s largest independent producers of corrugated cardboard packaging”, Atlas Packaging runs a Cuir flexo press, an Emba 245 folder-gluer, rotary die-cut machinery, Bobst die-cutters and a range of multi-point gluers among the technology portfolio on its more-than 9,290sqm premises.

With 130 members of staff, it turned over £18m last year.