Suffolk-based Abbey Labels has upgraded its existing Xeikon technology with the investment in two high-end CX300 digital presses. Having taken delivery of the UK’s first CX300 late last year, the label printing company has been so impressed with the productivity and quality consistency that it decided to install a second machine less than 12 months later.

Tom Allum, chairman of Abbey Labels (right) with James Thomas, Xeikon Sales Manager UK Labels & Packaging

Operating at the forefront of technological development is nothing new to Abbey Labels, a company that has always offered customers the latest in digital label printing innovation since first introducing the benefits of Xeikon dry tonertechnology to its customer base in 2013.

Now the family-owned company, which operates a modern manufacturing facility in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, has completed a double investment in the latest Xeikon press model to maintain momentum in the digital print department. The duo of Xeikon CX300s, which replace two Xeikon CX3s, are part of an ambitious £1 million investment plan set in motion to expands Abbey Labels’ production capacity and accelerate productivity, agility and sustainability.

“As the most productive press at the 330mm width, not only does the Xeikon CX300 retain the highest print quality on a broad range of challenging substrates and deliver in terms of speed, it also minimises the environmental impact of label manufacturing by not emitting any harmful substances (VOCs) or generating water pollution, and by using only a minimal amount of electricity,” said Tom Allum, Chairman of Abbey Labels.

He added, “And by being the most food-safe digital print technology on the market with an output that is compatible with existing recycling processes, it also gives our customers the reassurance that they are choosing the most food compliant and environmentally friendly production method for their labels.”

The advanced Xeikon CX300 features highly automated technology which maximises productivity as it needs less operator interaction. Running at 30m/min, each full-colour machine offers a production capacity of over 50,000 square metres per month in a single shift. The print quality is equivalent to gravure and offset thanks to the LED imaging head, which operates at 1200x3600 dpi, and with a fifth print station, single-pass opaque white or custom colours can be added to expand the application reach.

Tom Allum continued, “The speed and automation on the CX300 deliver 25% more efficiency compared to our existing Xeikon CX3s, allowing us to operate the business in a very agile and responsive manner. We have added 50% more capacity in less than a year, whilst retaining a very similar footprint and the same operators, so the implementation has been very smooth.”

The new digital printing presses represent the halfway point of the £1 million pound investment plan. They will be complemented by a new finishing area designed to house three new converting machines from AB Graphic International arriving over the coming months, as the company expands its finishing and embellishment offering further.

“Abbey Labels has built up a very strong digital label printing business based on Xeikon dry toner technology, going right back to 2013 when the first Xeikon 3300 press was installed, and we are proud to continue this great partnership,” commented Filip Weymans, Vice President of Marketing at Xeikon. “The two Xeikon CX300 presses with next-generation Cheetah 2.0 technology will give Abbey Labels the boost in capacity they need to take their business to the next level and continue to deliver high-quality labels at speed.”

James Thomas, Sales Manager UK Labels & Packaging at Xeikon, added, “Abbey Labels is a progressive, growing business and Xeikon is proud to be their partner. It’s great to be supporting the company in their investment decisions and play a part in their future success.”