Africa’s first MPS EB label press, an eight-colour EB 370 flexo press equipped with UV drying, is up and running at JMB Labels in Johannesburg.
Managed and owned by Ahmed and Aslam Monia, JMB Labels is a fast-growing label printing operation. From humble beginnings back in 1928, JMB Labels now occupies a 1500sqm site in Amalgam, Johannesburg.
‘More than 80% of our turnover is label work and an investment was needed to add capacity and flexibility. Although it’s a smaller, less costly machine than our previous MPS press, it suits our needs perfectly,’ said Aslam Monia. ‘Previously, the company didn’t have sufficient capacity to seek out the new business that abounds in the growing flexographic label printing market. Now we can do more wraparound and shrink sleeve work, while ensuring superior customer service. Order turnaround is paramount, as we’re known for on-time delivery and we do our best always to beat the deadline, rather than just meeting it. The EB will boost our capability on both short- and long-run label printing.’
Thanks to EB 370 flexo press’ user friendly design, operators were able to run jobs independently after only one day of training by the MPS and Rotocon commissioning team. Ordered through Patrick Aengenvoort, Rotocon sales director, during last year’s Labelexpo Europe, the EB press features predictable high-quality label printing, reliable productivity, and operator-friendly operation.
‘At speeds up to 165m/min, it offers minimised set-up waste and reliable and repeatable quality. With its key features of Crisp-Dot technology for superior print quality, including vignettes and solids, iSet for intelligent pressure settings, and iStop to optimise stops and starts during printing and ensure zero waste at roll change, the new EB press is more than living up to expectations,’ said Monia.
Added extras, the press is equipped with an on-rail laminating unit that enables converting at any location along the press; and also included in the line-up is iStrip matrix rewinding technology, allowing the press to die-cut and strip matrix at high speed. Additional equipment has been supplied by another of Rotocon’s principals, Wink, including Wink’s magnetic dies and print cylinders and the revolutionary Wink GapControl adjustable anvil system.
GapControl allows precise, double-sided adaptation of the gap (and thus the liner strike) for a number of applications and materials. Its advantages are mainly rooted in its high stability that allows problem-free cutting-through at high production speeds.
Monia commented, ‘Our decision to invest in a second MPS press was easy considering the proven success of our MPS EF press and the dependable support we receive from MPS and locally from Rotocon. With our new EB press, we’re benefitting from its operator-friendly design, low-cost maintenance, and advanced press automation as our business continues to grow.’
Rotocon’s service has been impeccable as always, says Monia. ‘Once you buy a machine from Rotocon, you become part of the family. The service is excellent, from product knowledge at initial enquiry stage to delivery and commissioning. If parts are needed, they’re at your door within 24 hours. The Rotocon team truly understands and pays attention to customers’ needs; and, importantly, also supplies all the necessary tooling, such as print cylinders, magnetic cylinders and flexible dies.’
