The realities of modern manufacturing are putting significant constraints on label converters. Their customers are demanding faster turnaround times, despite a lack of available or qualified manpower to operate these units. LemuGroup has recognized the challenges present for label converters and answered the call with numerous product enhancements and partners to make the process far more efficient.

Most recently, LemuGroup enhanced its modular GTU converting system, which is now able to run, diecut, perf and turret rewind at 820 fpm at web widths up to 26″ wide. This system complements LemuGroup’s GTU Glueless turret rewinder, which allows the company to offer what it says is the fastest and most complete non-stop converting system in the industry. LemuGroup has also received strong feedback for its ultra-compact, end-of-line boxing and palletizing to this line. With these capabilities there is no reason to ever shut off the line, which only requires one operator.

LemuGroup has prioritized Lean Manufacturing principles to deliver maximum daily output. These product enhancements have been completed in tandem with LemuGroup’s customers, in order to provide solutions to their challenges – with workforce, quality, speed, and sustainability chief among them.

“How to produce the same or more products with fewer people is the pinnacle issue that I find people are researching and trying to solve economically in today’s industry,” explains Andre Beaudoin, director of North American sales and marketing, LemuGroup USA. “People will invest in new equipment if a fast ROI can be attained.

“We are also finding that by incorporating higher speeds and tying in end-of-line automation, there has been a reduction in waste, which is always created when human interplay is involved,” adds Beaudoin. “An example of this is when product has been converted, that product then needs to be moved to a second rewinding process and then finally packaging. With high-speed converting/inline packaging, we have eliminated waste factor. At these speeds, people cannot keep up with the packaging and palletizing part of their throughput. With our new technology, daily productivity increases 40% on average.”

Automation has become a hallmark of LemuGroup’s equipment, which has drawn strong interest from the label and package printing industry at the most recent tradeshows. For manufacturers, automation has emerged as a necessity in today’s competitive marketplace.

“This segment of the graphics industry is looking for faster and better ways of getting product out the door,” notes Beaudoin. “LemuGroup equipment allows the converter to do much more with far less. We spare our clients of the day-to-day HR business of trying to hire and retain employees, providing the employees who are there the ability to get back to label production – and doing it better than they had ever done it before. Simply put, more production equates to higher revenue and increased profitability. We are not just automating individual and multiple press lines. We are, in fact, automating entire production facilities. The industry has led us here, and the solution is available today.”

LemuGroup has leaned on its customers, delivering a roadmap for where they have wanted to go. The manufacturer has partnered with its customers, to deliver tailor-made solutions for their individual requirements.

“Customer feedback is the primary ingredient that we incorporate into every partnership we enter into,” remarks Beaudoin. “We listen to the customer and build equipment that is tailored to their individual needs and applications. This is why customers put their trust in Lemu. We essentially sit on the same side of the table as the client and look at the project from their perspective to fully understand their needs. We then apply our engineering capabilities and expertise to successfully achieve that goal for them. Our goal is to lead and innovate based on needs, not follow and replicate as a ‘me too’ manufacturer.”