AB Graphic International (ABG) recently held two week-long training workshops for its network of global distributors. The workshops, which took place in January, involved classroom time, demonstrations on ABG’s expanding portfolio of machines, and customer visits to see the equipment operating in real production environments.

A total of 48 representatives from worldwide ABG distributors, including Australia, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Russia, Thailand, India and all over Europe, descended on the finishing equipment manufacturer’s Bridlington, East Yorkshire headquarters to learn more about key technical developments and product launches, particularly new Digicon modules and turret rewinder releases.

“2020 is an exciting year for ABG, with many new developments and our largest ever exhibitions at drupa, Dscoop and Labelexpo Americas,” explains ABG’s Matt Burton. “Our distributors are an extended part of the ABG team, and we wanted to take this opportunity in the first month of 2020 to give some in-depth training both in the classroom and, more importantly, by demonstrating our machines.

“Clearly it’s vital to develop relationships with our global distributors to make them as excited about our future developments as we are,” he adds. “In some cases, we’ve been working with our distributor partners for many years, so for us spending time to get everyone on the same page is time well spent.”

During the week, representatives were given a comprehensive factory tour and demonstrations, followed by theory-based instruction on key ABG equipment, including its range of Vectra turret rewinders, the new laser digital cutting machine – Digilase 4.0 – and fleyeVision, the company’s 100% print inspection system. Of particular interest was JetFx, ABG’s new modular inkjet embellishment unit of the Digicon series, which can be integrated with the Digilase to get a fully digital finishing solution for self-adhesive labels. New Digicon modules, scheduled to be unveiled at drupa, provoked much interest from representatives. The modules have been designed to increase efficiency, minimize downtime and guarantee excellent results.

Away from the classroom and on-site demonstrations, representatives visited two ABG customers in the Yorkshire area, The Label Makers and Springfield Solutions. With both businesses making substantial investments in ABG equipment, tours at both sites provided a valuable, real-time manufacturing insight.

“Holding these fairly intense workshops are crucial in not only assisting to improve revenue and expand sales penetration, they are also important in motivating our distributors. We have had some excellent feedback to-date,” concludes Burton.