Fortis Solutions Group has invested in two high-speed, 24” flexo label presses from Lombardi Converting Machinery. The Synchroline flexo presses provide enhanced registration, speed, ease of setup and labor savings. The presses were purchased through Lombardi’s North American distributor Matik, Inc.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Fortis purchased a Lombardi Digistar fully modular digital finishing solution. As part of the sourcing process for the Digistar system, Ken Pizzuco, chief supply chain officer for Fortis, visited the company in Italy for live demonstrations of the finishing equipment and flexo presses. Installed at Fortis, the Digistar finishing equipment has proven to be a reliable, quality solution for highly embellished craft wine and spirit labels, the company says.

Fast-forward to 2021. As Fortis needed two new flexo presses to meet growing demand, the company conducted a thorough review of offerings from several flexo press manufacturers in the mid-web category. In addition to productivity, price and delivery timeframe, key criteria included reliability, given that the equipment is expected to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“While the Synchroline system was a little more expensive than some traditional non-servo press options,” says Pizzuco, “the printing speed will provide a greater long-term return on investment. The operators also appreciate the lower profile for enhanced ergonomics, simple web paths and user-friendly operation.”

“The secret of our success is that with our expanded geographic footprint, we are close to our customers. We work like a ‘mom and pop’ shop but with the benefits of scale,” adds Pizzuco. “We’re very nimble and customer centric, and our suppliers need to be nimble, too. I enjoyed working directly with decision makers at Lombardi and Matik. They are technically knowledgeable and responsive. Receiving answers quickly cut months off the design and purchasing process.”

Lombardi provides narrow- and mid-web solutions and produces modular flexographic printing machines equipped with standardized automation systems that can be configured to meet the specific needs of customers. Lombardi Synchroline flexo presses deliver maximum versatility for printing on a wide range of materials, including BOPP, PVC, PE, PET, paper, adhesive paper, paired materials and cardboard. Synchroline has a fully automatic electronic preregistration system that minimizes waste and setup time and delivers maximum precision.

Fortis Solutions Group provides a variety of packaging solutions, in particular pressure-sensitive labels that include extended content and booklet labels, flexible packaging, shrink sleeves, specialty cartons and applicators. The company serves the food, nutraceutical, health and beauty, automotive, beverage, wine and spirits, cannabis, industrial and pet care markets. Founded in 1978 and focusing on quality and service, the company employs more than 900 people, operates multiple manufacturing facilities with distribution capabilities in 13 states nationwide, and is represented by an experienced sales team that serves customers globally.