UK based Mercian Labels is the world's first pilot site of Xeikon Cheetah high speed digital label press press. The "most productive 5-colour digital label press in its class" will be installed at Mercian's new factory in Burntwood in early February. There it will run alongside the company's existing Xeikon 3000 Series digital press, as well as hotfoiling, flexo and inkjet technologies.
Dr Adrian Steele, managing director of Mercian Labels, comments: "We have chosen to adopt the latest generation of Xeikon digital label printing technology on the back of above-average growth in the digital part of our business, where we have run out of production capacity. Adding the Xeikon Cheetah will better position us for expected growth and we are confident the capacity will be quickly filled."
He continues: "We expect to take more market share from what is traditionally flexo territory as digital becomes more competitive on longer runs. What is compelling is that it will open up a larger share of the market for us. We will look closely at how digital can grasp even more jobs that used to be printed in flexo, thanks to the faster running speed and lower consumables cost."
The Cheetah has a top speed of 30m/min - 60% faster than any other model in Xeikon's current press portfolio. The 1,200 x 3,600 dpi digital press is dedicated solely to the production of self-adhesive/pressure sensitive labels.
Filip Weymans, Xeikon's director segment marketing labels & packaging, concludes: "The Cheetah represents the most important advancement in the digital label market in 15 years. Its unrivalled speed can deliver a previously unattainable mix of speed, quality and efficiency that will enable our customers to stand out from their competition."
Mercian Labels and Xeikon will be holding an exclusive preview event at the Burntwood site on 24 and 25 February, to coincide with the Packaging Innovations show at the NEC, Birmingham.
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