Prairie State Group, of Franklin Park, IL, USA, has acquired the first R/evolution press from Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), the next generation of its Evolution press. The R/evolution is a 10-color, 26″ wide machine, provides an overhead web path for better operator access, and offers clients the ability to configure the press with any combination of four- and two-color press sections.

Prairie State, which specializes in narrow web flexible packaging, was also the first to acquire the Evolution press in 2002. “We wanted to continue to aggressively pursue narrow web flexible packaging with a focus on high end graphics and quick turnaround,” says Dan Doherty, vice president of operations at Prairie State. “I have worked with my partners — Rick Heinzen, president, and Graham Redding, executive VP of sales and marketing — to develop product lines focused on satisfying customer needs that may have been neglected by some of our competition. We feel that the Evolution and now the R/evolution is the right piece of equipment at the right time.”

“We are now well-positioned to serve the market with our revitalized R/evolution as well as our 18″ and 22″ Webtron presses,” says Andy Gillis, product development manager in PCMC’s Printing, Coating & Laminating — Mid & Narrow Web division. “Both product lines will allow us to offer our clients different price points as well as different levels of technology for their printing and converting needs.”