Qualvis’ spend included the installation of two Bobst Novacut 106e cutter-creasers in July, a Busch SWH125 pile turner in October, and an Ero six-gun gluer with camera system in November.
The investment also included Esko’s Automation Engine software and Artpro Plus.
Marcus Short, Qualvis’ joint managing director, told Printweek that investment had come following expectations that the packaging market would be more competitive in the years following the pandemic.
He said: “We’ve been fortunate in the past three years, that we’ve gone into this hard economic climate with a good financial position. We’ve got the new kit, so we will remain competitive.”
The two Bobst Novacuts have proved particularly effective, according to Short. As well as raising departmental morale for having new, high quality kit to use, it has also allowed the company to increase its speed of production.
Training went smoothly, he said, adding: “It wasn’t too much of a step change from what they did before, but it’s just more user-friendly.
“We hit the ground running, which was good. It has definitely increased our operational efficiencies - we’ve increased our average speed by about 2,000 sheets an hour.”
In fitting the equipment, Qualvis sold two of its old Iberica machines, keeping one, to maintain a stable of three cutter-creasers. All of the machines bought in 2022 were purchased directly from their manufacturers.
Qualvis, which turns over just under £12m, is not targeting massive growth with the investment, according to Short, but rather steady work from high-end clients.
He said: “We’re comfortable with that type of turnover at the moment. It allows us to offer high-end [products]: we specialise in innovative, quality cartons, so we don’t want the mass, cheap stuff to flood the machines.”
2022’s investment round, therefore, will allow Qualvis to pursue its goal of producing detailed designs for these speciality brands.
Short added: “You don’t want to slip behind due to lack of investment capability. It is about getting [product through] machines quicker, but it’s being able to do that intricate detail as well, using the best software and machines that facilitate that.”
Qualvis employs 72 people at its 6,900sqm site near Leicester.
