A 10-color MPS EF 430 multi-substrate flexo press with the APC (Automated Print Control) package has been purchased and installed by Indonesian printer Ohtomi. This marks the converter’s first MPS investment and fourth flexo press.

Previously as an exclusive user of letterpress technology, Ohtomi made the initial switch to flexo 10 years ago. Hiroyoshi Oshima, marketing director at Ohtomi explains, “In our manufacturing facility, we have 25 letterpress machines, running production of 50-60% of the total print jobs. We embraced flexo as a better alternative for longer print runs.”

For Ohtomi, flexo was proven as the more favorable solution for their press operators, as flexo presses are less complicated to operate versus letterpress machines. Oshima adds, “Automation and pressure control have improved considerably in flexo. Nowadays, flexo offers offset quality, which is a great advantage combined with higher productivity compared to letterpress.”

The biggest advantage of letterpress, according to Oshima, is fine-tuning of colours and images.

When demand for an additional new flexo press developed, Ohtomi was open for consideration between the leading flexo press manufacturers. Keeping in mind that presses are difficult to maintain due to high temperatures in Southeast Asia, important to Ohtomi was a manufacturer with a solid and local service infrastructure.

“Service was one of the main reasons we chose MPS, next to their proven reputation of offering the highest print quality and productivity,” says Oshima. “The MPS service organization is very organized and customer-focused, with their offering the Red Box with spare parts, remote support, as well as local expert engineer service from their regional office in Kuala Lumpur. We also have a good relationship with Ahmad Sopian, the local MPS agent in Indonesia.”

Ohtomi plans to purchase at least one additional MPS press within a year, and more in the future.

During the Factory Acceptance Test in November 2018 at MPS headquarters in the Netherlands, two Ohtomi press operators received extensive flexo training in machine operation, maintenance and troubleshooting, to assure maximum results from their new MPS flexo press.

Both operators successfully completed the training program and are now certified MPS flexo operators.