The business sourced the used Sitma 1150 polywrapper with 161 autoloader and 939 stacker unit from Priority Mailing in Salisbury, which closed earlier this year.
The Sitma paper wrapping conversion kit, including a tight web system to keep good tension in the paper and a Nordson gluing system, was supplied by Engelmann & Buckham. A dual-head AMS X-Jet is the inkjet element of the new setup.
The 55-staff company is currently finalising testing on the system, and it is due to go live at its circa-3,000sqm site in the next few days.
The new kit is additional to its current setup and will increase capacity at the business, alongside giving it different options that it did not previously have, including selective feeders.
PFMS production manager Matt Pooke told Printweek the change in the market and the sustainable impact were the main drivers behind the investment decision, “with the environmental aspect being something we were keen to get on board with and give our customers options, so the decisions on how they wanted their products wrapped was left with them”.
“We felt this was also key due to the bio/compostable poly being short-lived. By having the paper wrapping option, customers can make full use of the Mailmark scheme, where this wasn't something readily available with compostable poly,” he added.
PFMS particularly liked the fact that the Sitma machines are modular, and that further adaptions and conversions are possible.
“This is great and means that we can customise in any way we want. It is also really good that a manufacturer looks to utilise what you already have and want to reuse as much as possible,” said Pooke.
He added training has gone well so far, with more still to come, and that the system “is methodical to use and seems quite user friendly”.
“It is a change from our current equipment suppliers so it will take some getting used to, especially the vast additional options on hand.”
The business also operates two CMC polywrapping lines and specialist inkjet kit. It runs Nordson hotmelt gluing systems for cover mounting products and has a large hand finishing department, which handles a wide range of tasks from bagging multiple items to banding, cover mounting, and goody bag fulfilment among other tasks.
PFMS’ main market is the publishing sector and Pooke added “the amount of subscription publishing mail we wrap was a prime reason for the Sitma investment – this also gives the option of full colour printed wrap that can be utilised on the newsstand”.
