Three industry leaders are collaborating on an “industry first” at Labelexpo Americas 2024. LemuGroup, Martin Automatic, and ETI Converting are showcasing the power of full end of line, robotic packaging automation across their three booths.

The goal of the three companies is to showcase state-of-the-art technology while addressing the biggest trends in label printing. The Labelexpo booth display combines the strengths of each of the companies as they bring high added value to the market. LemuGroup, Martin Automatic, and ETI Converting all manufacture equipment that can be flexibly configured, providing turnkey solutions to each specific project’s need.

“Attendees can see automated converting capabilities running web over the aisles, displaying what’s possible in label printing shops today despite the issue of a shrinking, non-existent labor pool,” says Andre Beaudoin, director of North American sales and marketing, LemuGroup. “We are displaying our high-speed converting capabilities along with automated finishing, eliminating the need for human interaction. This shows converters how they can produce and ship 30-50% more product every day.

“We have brought together the focus of three technological industry leaders, each focusing on what they do well, and combining the power of that triad together to take this industry well into the future with a focus on product diversity and converter profitability,” adds Beaudoin. “Our three companies have taken the historic engineering ‘get it done’ DNA that has always been our core and brought to the marketplace a true applicable and needed solution to address the needs of the industry today. This is not merely another ‘me too’ product.”

Labelexpo Americas allows the three companies to showcase the benefits of collaboration and innovation. Martin Automatic is part of the automation line that LemuGroup has sold to a converter in the US, and the machine specification had to fit the performance specified by the converter. At the show, Martin is providing one MBS 08-26-40 butt splicer – rated at a maximum splicing speed of 800 fpm, a maximum web width of 26”, and a maximum roll diameter of 40”.

“We want the industry to see how closely the three companies can work together,” adds Gavin Rittmeyer, vice president of sales and marketing, Martin Automatic. “We have taken the decision to show the world this level of cooperation at a major tradeshow event, even though there is not a specific customer that has purchased the entire line – such is our commitment to the industry, to each other and to the converter customer that needs to see high-end performance from OEMs. We will show that non-stop, one pass automation of creating labelstock and converting is not only possible, but profitable and doable when you have the right partners working for your label converting business model. We are creating the possibilities that perhaps were only once dreamed about.”

“Each company brings its expertise and cutting-edge technology to the table, aiming to showcase how integrated solutions can enhance production capabilities, streamline processes, and offer sustainable solutions,” adds Maxime Bayzelon, president, ETI Converting. “We’re excited to demonstrate the synergies between our technologies and how they can deliver unparalleled value to our customers in the competitive market. This unique demonstration will provide attendees with an unprecedented look at a fully integrated production line in real-time.”

In order to feed the ETI line – and to make labelstock – Martin Automatic supplies another butt splicer – a dual web feed – to the ETI laminator. In this case, Martin Automatic is showcasing a reduced running direction footprint machine featuring an integrated, 90-degree micro-pore turnbar – an industry leading, reduced running direction footprint that is ideal for converters that have little space for non-stop web automation.

“We have a common desire to provide best-in-class technology with choice to our customers – allowing them to buy equipment on contract for a ‘one-stop shop’ experience or to purchase equipment from each OEM, knowing that the OEMs are committed to making the integration and process simple and secure with no risk,” explains Rittmeyer.

As part of the booth collaboration, LemuGroup is showing its GTU-26 rewinder and the new Ultra Compact Robotic end-of-line boxing and palletizing system. The GTU-26 system can reach production speeds up to 820 fpm (250 m/m), ensuring a perfect rewind and high production process. But the production line doesn´t end in the rewind unit, as the UltraCompact system allows the production process to be completed fully automatically, without stops in each cycle and without the need for any additional labor at the end of the line. Fully integrated, the unit ensures that the entire solution operates synchronously – from roll to pallet.

“LemuGroup is dedicated to bringing the most innovative automated capabilities to the market, especially as converters struggle with the workforce,” says Beaudoin. “LemuGroup has engineered equipment that applies advanced end of line automation solutions to improve the production efficiency of either a single piece of equipment or an entire production facility.”

Meanwhile, ETI is presenting its Cohesio equipment, which has been tailored for narrow web converting, printing, and coating for the inline manufacture of self-adhesive labels. ETI’s equipment on-show incorporates silicone coating and adhesive in a single line. The specific technologies and machines were selected to provide a comprehensive and integrated demonstration of the label manufacturing process. ETI’s Cohesio equipment, known for its flexibility and modular design, will feature a flexographic printing station, a silicone coating and curing station, an adhesive coating and laminating station, and a heavy-duty diecutting station.

“These choices were made to illustrate the complete transformation from raw materials to finished labels in a single pass, emphasizing efficiency and versatility,” comments Bayzelon. “Martin Automatic’s MBS butt splicers and Lemu’s automation solutions complement this setup, enhancing the overall production line’s efficiency and capability. We are thrilled to show how these technologies work together seamlessly in our special live demonstration.”

The intricate booth’s ultimate focus is squarely on the customer, as the display showcases what’s possible in their business – and for their specific requirements.

“Showcasing turnkey solutions and customized offerings can drive the industry toward more client-centric approaches, ultimately leading to better products and services,” explains Bayzelon. “Such collaborations highlight the importance of teamwork and shared expertise in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in label manufacturing, fostering a more dynamic and forward-thinking industry.”

This industry-first booth collaboration has gone beyond theory and concept, too. The companies have partnered with Channeled Resources Group to provide the Marathon, WI, organization with full-on production runs that will be shipped from the show directly to one of its customers.

“Channeled Resources understands the value of non-stop production and reducing the number of steps in the converting process,” comments Rittmeyer. “They give this level of expertise to their customers every day, and they highly value managing their resources to eliminate additional burden on the environment. We are honored that they have trusted ETI, LemuGroup and Martin to run a live production job for them at Labelexpo Americas 2024. We are not running material merely to send to the landfill – this is a true production job for a live Channeled Resource client. This collaboration among ETI, LemuGroup, Martin Automatic, and Channeled Resources is truly an epic event in tradeshow history.”

“In our opinion, speed combined with uptime and line speed efficiency now determine profit and margin,” adds Beaudoin.