SEI Laser Converting, based in Buja in the northeast corner of Italy, has engaged in a surface treatment partnership with Vetaphone. SEI Laser Converting, part of the SEI Group, has installed more than 7,000 machines in 53 countries around the world since it was established in 1982. 

SEI’s involvement with manufacturing technology for the label and flexible packaging sectors brought SEI Laser Converting into contact with Vetaphone back in 2010 when it developed its narrow web laser diecutting capability into a fully modular converting line known as the Labelmaster for roll-to-roll and roll-to-sheet applications.

The Labelmaster series, which is available in 350mm and 600mm web widths, is a high-performance system for self-adhesive label converters involved in the production of food and beverage, wine, beauty, healthcare, textile, and industrial labels. In addition, flexible packaging, anti-counterfeiting, and promotional work are growing areas of importance, with the Labelmaster machines’ ability to work with substrates from paper and carton to plastic films and foils.

According to Raffaella Copetti, purchasing manager at the company’s Buja site, says, “It was our entry into the film and foil area that first alerted us to the need for surface treatment, and after extensive market research, we identified Vetaphone as our preferred supplier.” 

Vetaphone’s attention to detail on each customer job appealed to SEI, whose business philosophy is closely aligned. The modular concept of the Labelmaster makes it highly adaptable to individual customer requirements, with the benefit that it can be reconfigured after installation to cope with changes in market demand. 

According to Giuseppe Rossi, Vetaphone’s sales manager for Italy, “This sits well with our technology, because Vetaphone corona systems can be finely tuned to meet the specific demands of different substrates and they are also upgradeable as the need arises.”

In today’s competitive packaging market, the Labelmaster’s QR/Barcode reader allows job changes on the fly for maximum productivity.  With laser diecutting now readily utilized, SEI Laser Converting offers an efficient digital business model with web to label, web to sticker, and web to flexible packaging. In this fast-turnaround environment it is essential to have accurate control of all elements and guaranteed reliability.  “We have nothing but praise for the way in which Vetaphone works with us on all of our projects and only positive feedback from our customers on the reliable performance of their corona systems,” concludes Copetti.