The BOBST MW 80 gravure press with inline finishing for special packaging jobs in short runs impresses Südpack Bioggio

Enrico Riesel, managing director of the Swiss company Südpack Bioggio SA, wanted to invest in a new rotogravure press for the company in 2017, knowing he and his senior management team would have to make a challenging decision.

There were several strategic options one could choose a small-run gravure press, which mainly took on one-time printing for flexible packaging with finishing, or a more conventional rotogravure machine, which was able to cost-effectively handle a mix of tasks.

After only a few months of production time, Südpack Bioggio has proved that the company’s decision in favor of the BOBST MW 80 and thus a gravure press for special types of applications was the best choice. Südpack Bioggio, which belongs to Südpack Verpackungen GmbH & Co KG, Südpack Bioggio, the leading international manufacturer of films for food, non-food and medical packaging with headquarters in Germany, is the center for packaging gravure of the group.

Our customers are increasingly demanding short runs of one-off print jobs, which often add visual and haptic finishing effects that make packaging more attractive in the store, explains Enrico Riesel. It can be a challenge to meet these requirements without increasing production costs, especially with gravure presses that are more suited for medium to large runs.

The company’s rotogravure production was previously well-equipped with three BOST gravure printing gravure presses, whose technical features made it possible to print different runs, including short run lengths. The company’s increasing specialization in special value-added packaging and the need to increase its gravure capacity have contributed to the decision in favor of the MW 80 gravure press with 850 mm web width, whose configuration and features are focused on the production of short runs. The machine works without a trolley and is operated completely from the ground level. The ink circulation system and printing sleeves can be easily exchanged from the front of the printing units without tools and without loss of web tension.

As far as the machine’s performance is concerned, Südpack Bioggio has above all realized that the conversion to the new production logic of the MW 80 achieves an impressive difference in color consumption.