Experience is the best base for building up trust. This proved to be the case in the partnership between Manor Packaging \u2013 part of the Fencor Packaging Group and the world-leading Swiss packaging technology company BOBST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In January 2020, the Peterborough, UK-based corrugated packaging specialist did not have a single BOBST solution on-site. Today, they have three, all of which were installed in the space of just two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its first BOBST machine \u2013 BOBST FFG 8.20 Discovery, a next-generation inline flexo folder-gluer \u2013 was installed in February 2020. BOBST\u2019s commitment to customer service and after-sales support during the Discovery acquisition meant Manor Packaging\u2019s decision about its next investment was a simple one; BOBST VISIONCUT 1.6 was quickly identified as the perfect solution for its rapidly evolving needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe were putting most of our online retail jobs through our existing flatbed die-cutter but in spite of regular maintenance, we were very exposed to the risk of a breakdown and we needed additional capacity in order to meet the turnaround times demanded by our customers,\u201d said David Orr, Managing Director of Fencor Packaging Group. \u201cWe spoke to the BOBST team and they recommended the VISIONCUT 1.6. Such was the customer experience when we installed the FFG 8.20 Discovery, that we really didn\u2019t look anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
VISIONCUT 1.6 offers first-class precision die-cutting and includes Performance Management and Equipment Monitoring analysis tools available through the BOBST Connect platform. These tools allow uptime and productivity to be monitored in real-time, in order to optimise the efficiency on the production line and reduce waste. This flatbed die-cutter also offers superior versatility, as it can work with a wide range of substrates \u2013 from solid corrugated board up to 9 mm to triple-wall corrugated cardboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The investment quickly paid off for Manor Packaging, with customer demand steadily increasing, particularly in the e-commerce sector. The pattern of its previous investment repeated, the need for a further machinery solution quickly became evident. \u201cOf course, improving one area of the production often leads to challenges arising elsewhere or highlights where further improvements can be made; that\u2019s exactly what happened for us,\u201d admitted Orr. \u201cWe quickly realised that we needed to back up our existing multi-point folder-gluer, which would also help us to offer greater variety and capabilities to our customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once again, BOBST was able to offer a perfect solution in the EXPERTFOLD 165, installed in August 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERTFOLD 165 A2 delivered precisely what Manor Packaging needed, offering the ideal combination of speed and precision for packaging applications. Its impressive list of benefits includes high-speed and high-quality converting, thanks to a range of specific devices which ensure complete control of the folding and gluing process. Simple setting and retrieval of job data greatly reduce make-ready times and it is modular design enables Manor Packaging to add optional functionality later, should the need arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe fact that BOBST has UK-based engineers was a crucial factor in our decision-making process,\u201d Orr explained. \u201cWe are very happy to pay a small premium for the reassurance of having engineers close at hand, who know the machines inside out, especially when we are in the business of providing products to customers on very short lead times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These continue to be exciting times for Manor Packaging. Having significantly invested in its business over the last few years, it is already beginning to reap the rewards in the form of improved capacity, flexibility, and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur operators are immensely proud that they get to work on our industry\u2019s top-of-the-line machinery,\u201d added Orr. \u201cBut ultimately, it\u2019s down to the build quality, reliability, and service. You don\u2019t just get a machine with BOBST. It\u2019s the total package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe really are happy with our partnership, and that\u2019s been the case from the word \u2018go\u2019. Now, our first instinct when we\u2019re looking for a new machine is to go to BOBST,\u201d he said. As this rapidly blossoming partnership continues to bear fruit, it is clear that this whirlwind journey is far from over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n