American Packaging Corporation (APC), a longstanding leader in the flexible packaging industry since its inception in 1902, has inaugurated an advanced Digital Printing Unit at its Centre of Excellence located in Columbus, Wisconsin. This new facility is equipped with two HP Indigo 200K Digital Presses, facilitating versatile production capabilities including laminating, coating, and pouching.
The strategic move to enhance their digital printing capabilities aligns with the market’s gradual transition from high-volume production to short run and on-demand printing. This shift is driven by an increasing demand from brands for agile supply chains that can respond swiftly to changing market needs. APC also operates digital printing facilities at its Story City, Iowa Centre of Excellence, which further complements its lamination, coating, pouching, and bag-making services.
APC’s heritage in printing, which includes both rotogravure and flexographic methods, has consistently been supported by ongoing investments in cutting-edge technology, modern equipment, and world-class facilities. The integration of HP Indigo digital printing technology allows APC to provide brands with the agility, sustainability, and creative options demanded in today’s marketplace. The digital printing platform not only broadens APC's reach in the growing small and medium-sized business (SMB) sector but also enhances its capacity for hybrid printing solutions alongside existing high-volume production.
One significant aspect of this investment is the quality assurance that the HP Indigo technology delivers, characterised by impressive print quality and precise colour matching. Fred Morse, Director of Digital Technology and Sales at American Packaging, commented, “Our investment in the HP Indigo 200K digital press allows our passionate team of packaging professionals to provide alternative and creative solutions to meet and exceed our customers' business requirements.”
The efficiency benefits of digital production were key factors in APC's choice of HP Indigo technology. The introduction of the HP Indigo 200K Digital Presses enables the company to eliminate the traditional costs and time associated with creating rotogravure cylinders or flexographic plates. This allows APC to offer faster, more sustainable solutions to its customers, alongside benefits such as short-run options, reduced time to market, and variable data printing.
Eran Lazar, VP Product, Strategy and Business Development at HP Indigo, stated, “We are excited to see APC joining the growing movement of conventional flexible packaging converters expanding their portfolios with digital capabilities. By embracing our digital presses, companies like APC can unlock productivity gains, sustainability benefits, and new business opportunities, positioning themselves to thrive in evolving markets.”
As APC forges ahead, its newly established Digital Printing Unit signifies a crucial advancement in delivering integrated solutions that resonate with the evolving demands of modern markets. By merging its rich legacy with contemporary digital technology, American Packaging Corporation is poised to influence the future of flexible packaging and reinforce its position in the industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services