Xeikon has announced that UK label producer Abbey Labels has chosen its CX3 digital label press to expand digital production services and reduce pressure on capacity. The Xeikon CX3 is based on Xeikon Cheetah digital print technology and was officially launched for worldwide availability at Labelexpo Europe.

“We acknowledged that with our existing digital equipment, we were getting to over-capacity and our lead times were drifting because of the great success of our digital department,” explains Tom Allum, chairman of Abbey Labels. “We aim to turn jobs around in four days, but it was stretching to a week. The Xeikon CX3 is adding exactly the digital printing capability we need. It will help us to stay one step ahead and keep up to speed with market requirements.

“We specialize in trade work for print management and procurement businesses,” he adds. “In addition, we serve various other clients in the food, beverage, retail, cosmetic, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Due to the great success of our digital department, we installed a second Xeikon press earlier this year. The Xeikon CX3, scheduled for installation at the end of this year, was chosen to help us address the continuously increased demand for digital and achieve a 20% year-on-year growth.”

The digital service is complementary to Abbey’s HD flexo production on four presses. The way Abbey Labels operates has dramatically evolved during this investment program from one of a supplier to a more integrated part of the natural supply chain. “We are now talking to customers earlier in the process because they know we can help them achieve the results and the quality they are looking for – even in the most challenging situations,” Allum adds. “The need to maintain high quality has always been one of the main drivers for the investment in Xeikon technology. Our Xeikon presses have helped us to reduce production times and therefore enable us to meet tighter deadlines with the quality we demand. We understand technology and software, and it was that understanding that led us to invest in Xeikon,” says Allum.

The Xeikon CX3 attracted Abbey because of the press’ speed. According to Allum, the running speed of 30 mpm is 56% faster than the current presses. This speed will enable Abbey Labels to create a flexible approach to print production, help expand its portfolio and win new business. Another deciding factor was the ability to print on a variety of heat-sensitive substrates, which is made possible by Xeikon’s toner technology. The CX3 toner (QA-CH) requires a lower fusing temperature than typical toner-based presses. In addition, it meets FDA regulations for food contact and offers the ability to print opaque white toner in one pass.

“The Xeikon CX3 will help us to extend our product line,” says Allum. “We will be able to work with thermal labels and thinner films thanks to the Cheetah toner. We are well-known for our ability to run complex jobs on a wide range of substrates, and the Xeikon CX3 will allow us to continue and expand that service. The fact we can run white toner and that the inks are food safe was also a big selling point. Since we work a lot with trade customers, we don’t always know what we are quoting for, and being BRC and ISO14001 accredited, we need the reassurance that however we run it, we can meet those standards. Having Xeikon technology, we are certain.”

Commenting on the company’s growth, Allum adds, “There is momentum, and we are on the crest of a wave. We are not taking work from our flexo presses. The work we are gaining in digital is new work for us from current customers, and we are also dramatically increasing our customer base. One process complements the other, and we can offer our customers the most cost-effective solution for every job. And the most important thing is that, whatever technology the customer chooses, there is no degradation in quality. The mix of flexo and digital printing positions us well for the future. We can produce one label or many millions. We have to be a jack of all trades in this business, and the Xeikon CX3 will help us do just that.”