When Shire Labels in Kirrawee installed their Konica Minolta press, they naturally needed a finishing machine to handle the production that the KM press would create. And Shire MD Peter Petran, believes that working with Australian manufacturers where possible, is the best way to go.
“The type of work that Shire Labels does, doesn’t necessarily require all the finishing bells and whistles that are undoubtedly out in the market,” said Peter. “We were looking for what I classify as a workman-like standard finishing machine. It had to be 330mm wide and complement our digital machine, but what we required was a flexo station; cold-foil, lamination; register die-cutting; and slitting with a small turret. So that when we do a job, it will come from the digital, go through the processes, and we’ve got finished rolls at the back.
“So that was the brief I gave to Peter Jessop from Rotary Engineering and we sat down and discussed it over a couple of Coronas.”
Peter said the design requirements were talked over for about two years, and he was happy that Rotary had the machine that could handle the digital production. The quandary was finding the right digital press to match the Rotary finishing unit. “One of the things I liked about Rotary, was the local manufacture. I’ve had problems previously, waiting for parts to come from overseas, and with a digital set-up, you just can’t afford that delay. It has got to work and work.”
He said Shire knew what they wanted. “It had to be a flexible die-cutting system, semi-rotary slitter, and that’s what it is. We have modified the machine and refined it as we went along which is the best part of having an Australian manufacturer. It can be tailor-made to what you want it to do. That’s what I asked Peter to do and that is what he has delivered.”
Peter Jessop, Rotary’s Managing Director, explained how they handled Shire Labels’ request. “What was being asked of us wasn’t anything out of left field. We get a lot of tailor-made requests. And we have built finishing equipment previously, but we hadn’t built the semi-rotary. The other machines were full rotary, for which, strangely enough, I have a current order running. But they want to run big volumes, so it requires the higher speed of a full rotary.
“Obviously, the market is the determinant and Peter’s need was for a machine to meet the needs of the high-end medium to long-run market. So it is going hand-in-hand with the KM and it will do the speeds to match its competitors. It is solidly built, has German electronics and servo systems and is built to last.”
He said one of the great things Rotary offers customers, is that they are on the spot in Australia with back-up and service right here. “Since its installation, the DFS – Digital Finishing Process – has been modified to meet Shire Labels’ changing needs, and Peter (Petran) being very mechanical, has been a plus, because he’s had some valuable input into the design and modifications.”