One of the most influential label companies in
North America has realized success with a Mark Andy Digital Series HD. Cypress
Multigraphics, located in Tinley Park, Illinois purchased the solution in the
summer of 2018 and took delivery in late September, directly following
Labelexpo Americas.
As an early adopter of the Digital Series HD
production class inkjet press, Cypress Multigraphics had kept a keen eye on the
industry and where technology was evolving before investing in their first
non-acquired digital asset. Brad Weber, President/Owner, Cypress Multigraphics,
provides “We’ve been watching the digital market develop over the last 10 years
and up until recently, we felt the process was treated like an afterthought.
Like a copier tucked away in the back of the pressroom that required additional
production steps. It went against the grain of everything we believed in from
our flexo upbringing.”
What piqued the company's leadership team’s
interest, however, was the new way of technology coming to market- hybrid.
“Hybrid capability is what got our interest going in the Mark Andy Digital
Series HD. And for a while, competitive digital press resolution, speed, and
capability weren't there for the standards our customers required” shared Tim
Thomas, General Manager, Cypress Multigraphics.
Cypress Multigraphics’ configuration consists of
four flexo print stations- two before and two after the seven color UV inkjet
digital module. These features coupled with a rail system and QCDC-SR
semi-rotary diecutting allows the company to marry printing, decorating and
finishing at 240 fpm in a single pass. High opacity digital white, in excess of
85%, has also served as an acceptable alternative for customers that require
screen printing.
On their decision to pursue a highly configurable
press, Thomas, Cypress’ driving force behind evaluating True Hybrid technology,
offers “When you take things offline, it’s another department to schedule and a
large footprint in our operation.”
Methodically using their Digital Series HD
acquisition to phase out 2-3 legacy flexo presses, the business also stands to
attract additional work through the added capabilities and new markets. In
addition to aggressively pursuing craft beer market share, the company has the
technology to continue its dominant position as a provider of durables,
nutraceutical, automotive and food market applications. Thomas makes it clear
that expanding their book of business is a top priority, expressing “There is a
lot of new work to be won and we are always hungry.”
“Speaking candidly, digital scared our team to
death at first. Making the switch was like going from water to UV-based inks in
flexo. But it’s paid off quick and everyone is on the hybrid bandwagon and
excited to have this new capability and learning experience.” shares Weber. He
concludes “The way I see it, with the value Mark Andy hybrid brings to our
operation, I don’t see us purchasing a conventional press again.”
