Part of the Encore Group, Encore Packaging Solutions took delivery of a new EXPERTFOLD 110 A2 in April. The new folder-gluer complements a growing portfolio of BOBST assets at the company’s Peterlee site in County Durham, UK. This includes two die-cutters, NOVACUT 106 ER and NOVACUT 106 E, plus another folder-gluer, VISIONFOLD 110 A2 and HANDYPACK GT – a semi-automatic collecting table that assists end-of-line operators pack finished cartons into transport containers.

Craig Allen, Sales Director at Encore Packaging Solutions, said: “The EXPERTFOLD purchase is another great demonstration of our commitment to investing in the business and our local area. We have a successful apprenticeship programme in operation to nurture new talent in the packaging industry and seek to have the best equipment and machinery in place to support that.

“As a business, our focus is on growth and a strong desire to be ahead of our core markets so that we have the capacity in place to support increasing volumes from new and existing customers. BOBST has been a key partner to our growth journey over the course of the past nine years. We were delighted that once again, the team could deliver a stand-out machine that strengthens and streamlines our production processes. This has enabled us to operate more efficiently while continuing to offer the quality that our customers have come to expect from us.”

Supplying the food, e-commerce and retail markets, Encore Packaging Solutions manufactures a range of innovative folding carton and corrugated products. The EXPERTFOLD 110 A2 is a versatile folder-gluer that enables manufacturers to produce a wide variety of box styles in a range of materials, giving Encore great flexibility and the ability to respond to various customer requests. Speeds of up to 450 meters per minute as well as short make-ready and changeover times guarantee maximum uptime and output. EXPERTFOLD can be fitted with peripherals and devices to boost productivity even further and ensure it can adapt to future business requirements.

Encore Packaging Solutions opted to add the latest, next-generation EASYFEEDER 4, along with CARTONPACK 4 to the EXPERTFOLD 110 A2, creating a complete, high-performance folding-gluing line. Indeed, Encore Packaging Solutions is the first independent company in the UK to install this technology.

EASYFEEDER ensures a smooth and steady feeding of the blanks, while CARTONPACK 4 packs glued cartons automatically, enabling the folder-gluer to run at maximum speed without being slowed down by manual packing. With this fully automated feeding and packing process, the production capacity can be maximized and repetitive strain injuries avoided. 

Craig Allen added: “CARTONPACK 4 is already proving a gamechanger for us. Throughput is faster and more efficient. It’s an impressive piece of kit for a growing business like ours.”

Lee Alton, Area Sales Manager for BOBST, said: “It is fantastic to once again be able to provide a new machine line to Encore and to be part of their success story. Over the past decade we’ve had the privilege of being able to work with the Encore team to understand and evaluate their growing needs and provide a range of solutions to enhance the performance of their production lines and fulfil their business goals.”

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