Mark Andy’s recently held Open House was “an outstanding success” according to the company’s newly promoted European Sales Director Tom Cavalco. The four-day event, which commemorated 21 years on the same site, was held in Mark Andy’s newly refurbished Show Room and Demonstration Center in Macclesfield, UK. Attended by nearly 200 visitors from 60 companies, the Open House was an international affair, drawing visitors from as far away as India, Russia, Turkey and Lebanon, as well as from 10 of the European Union countries.

“We have taken orders worth more than US$3.2m this week, including sales of three Performance Series presses and a Rotoflex inspection/rewinder,” Cavalco said “Most important, is that they were all from companies new to Mark Andy.  We see this as a sign that Mark Andy is continuing to be considered a technology leader, with a range of innovations to suit all types of narrow web applications.  And, with the expanded facilities here in the UK, and the addition of experienced print, sales and technical support, I am very optimistic about our future in Europe.”

Each day saw a mix of keynote speeches, new technology presentations and machine demonstrations. These included combination and high-end flexo printing on a 430mm (17 inch) Performance Series P5 press, fitted with the Quick Change Die Cut (QCDC) system. The Performance Series, touted as the fastest selling platform press in narrow web history – more than 230 have been sold worldwide since launching in 2009. Apart from the effortless loading of plate cylinders and the automatic register that reduces make-ready waste, the QCDC unit alone has reduced die-change times from typically 10-15 minutes down to less than 60 seconds – and it is a safer process for the operator and poses less risk to the magnetic dies during loading. In the week following the Open House event, Mark Andy was presented the prestigious FTA Technical Innovation Award for this new QCDC technology. 

Mark Andy gave its new SRL 4.0 entry-level digital printer a European debut at the event. Designed specifically for ultra-short run work, the unit offers cost effective production of quality labels, and is seen as a low-risk introduction to digital technology for converters currently using flexo and other conventional print technology. Capable of printing a 320mm web at 9 meters/minute, and matched with the Mark Andy SRC converting line, the newly available digital print workflow offers an attractive system for converters who struggle with costs on very low volume jobs.

The Open House gave the opportunity to showcase two Rotoflex machines, the VLI and the VSI. The recently revamped/redesigned URC 2.0 control system allows both machines to handle virtually all types of substrate tensions and web management at high speed. The VLI line has multiple slitting, multi lane counting, dual rewind, multiple web guiding, and missing label or matrix detection. The VSI is a high-speed machine with the latest integrated web transport that includes eDrive, web inspection, and finishing technology designed to improve machine performance and enhance product quality.

Each day concluded with a demonstration of the technology that Mark Andy predicts will change the face of curing, the Mark Andy ProLED system. The system offers substantial cost savings with its reduced power requirement, and all round lower production costs because of its simplicity and associated reliability, and the durability and performance of its lamps. The ProLED was shown fitted to a six-color Performance Series P3 press. It uses medium wave rays that produce neither ozone nor heat, and is available on new presses or as a retrofit to existing installations.

At the end of the week’s activities, International Sales Director Mike Russell commented: “The success we have enjoyed this week will provide a powerful springboard for Mark Andy’s European sales and service group.  We have demonstrated that we are at the forefront of commercial technology in our industry, and are leading the way to providing the right technology and solutions for any business situation, whether it be flexo or digital.  We are now in a great position to grow our business in Europe and the global market, and are looking forward to doing so at Labelexpo Europe later in the year.”