Opus Packaging Selects New Kolbus Hycorr Rotary Die Cutter
December 17, 2020New Indianapolis facility invests in a single-pass four-color bottom print plus top print station die cutter
- Serving its consumer clients with 50% gains in die cutting speeds
- Customers gain more flexibility with in-house machine and Opus promotes its green footprint
- Solid relationship with Kolbus Hycorr spurs second Hycorr machine purchase
As it continues to answer its customer’s corrugated box needs and
expedite demand for orders, Opus Packaging Group, a leading corrugated
packaging and supplies manufacturer, is investing in the latest automated
equipment to pursue those goals. Its newest facility in Indianapolis, IN is accelerating
its production with the recent installation of a Kolbus Hycorr 66 x 115 rotary
die cutter, which began its current online shift in November. It features a
four-color bottom print plus one-color top-print station.
“Demand for our corrugated boxes is very high, and has grown stronger during
the pandemic” says Mike Seifert, director of manufacturing services. “Our
customers are seeking new ways to attract more business and often it entails
colorful graphics on the outside of the box and one-color messages and
advertising on the inside. With the investment of the new Hycorr RDC, we can
accomplish those orders efficiently and quickly all in a single pass. I expect
we will quickly be operating the Hycorr RDC at a two shift level producing a
wide array of products including graphic packaging, packs and kits, interior
dunnage, custom partitions and packaging supplies.”
Opus began tracking requests from its retail customers for more color and more
messaging applications inside the box as e-commerce took off. By providing more
capabilities, Opus saw an opportunity to increase its customer base. New to its
product offerings is the ability to print additional one color inside the box
advertising on the Hycorr RDC.
The popular Hycorr RDC is an efficient means to printing and die cutting in one
pass. It can print on both sides of the sheet, which eliminates an entire
set-up, saving time and reducing waste with no additional handling. Coatings
can be applied or messaging, instructions, or advertising can be printed inside
the box. Users praise it for its increased flexibility and attracting new
business.
Prior to the RDC arriving in Indianapolis, the firm had to transport its jobs
to a sister facility for manufacturing and then back to its own facility. Now,
the new Hycorr RDC, which was assembled at Hycorr’s Michigan manufacturing
facility, is operating under its own roof in Indianapolis. The new investment
allows the team additional flexibility to schedule jobs, more efficiency and
productivity, and a green footprint with decreased trucking between plants.
Seifert reports that the Hycorr installation went very smoothly and his
operators are excited to use the new machine. “The RDC is fully automatic with
touch screen controls,” he says. “Our operators can perform all adjustments,
such as registration and set-ups, using the HMI interface. It makes our younger
generation of employees, who are computer savvy, very happy.”
The management team did look at other solutions and considered a used die
cutter before signing the contract for the new Hycorr RDC. A similar Hycorr die
cutter is operating very well at the New Bremen, OH facility.
“We like to partner with our manufacturing vendors and that includes Kolbus
Hycorr,” says Seifert. “Their support has been excellent and we’ve been happy
with their training staff. What sets them apart is having a quick and free 24/7
online support, which gives us peace of mind.”
The Indianapolis facility opened in August 2019 after Opus Packaging Group
invested nearly three million to construct and equip the 170,000 sq ft
manufacturing plant with 35 employees. The site was chosen as a good fit for
Opus to better serve its clients and increases its production for clients in
Indiana and other parts of the Midwest. Opus Packaging, which also has
operations in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, employs 375 associates nationwide.
Opus Packaging Group is a family of companies dedicated to providing superior
customized packaging solutions to its clients. It offers a wide array of
products and services including graphic packaging, packs and kits, interior
dunnage, custom partitions and packaging supplies.