US-based label printer Action Packaging Systems has invested in its second Xeikon CX3 press. Douglas E Rice, president and CEO of Action Packaging Systems, says, “We went into digital printing because of the need for short runs with increased efficiency. The speed and quality of the Xeikon CX3 Digital Label Press fits perfectly into our quick delivery program. By being able to address both short runs and long runs, using a combination of digital and conventional production, we can meet our customers’ needs no matter what they are – competitively.”
Before investing in its first Xeikon CX3, the most productive digital press in its class with printing speeds of 98 feet per minute, the company undertook a thorough review of available solutions. Rice explains, “With very short lead times for some of our work, reliability was very important. We also needed to ensure very high print quality. We have found that with Xeikon. We liked Xeikon’s approach – more a focus on engineering and what the press could do than a marketing effort.
“The combination of reliability, print quality and productivity that we experienced with our first Xeikon CX3 made the decision to invest in a second press very easy. It is a robust, full rotary press that does make a difference as compared to other digital label press options. The full rotary helps us in many ways – better registration in printing, and better registration into finishing.”
The second Xeikon CX3 joins the first as they have two Xeikon CX3’s at Action Packaging. Rice continues, “The reliability of Xeikon’s presses has been quite impressive. When we do have problems, the service team is right there for us. We have many stories to share about the tremendous dedication of the Xeikon service team. But the bottom line is, the press just keeps running and we don’t need the service team that often.”
The Xeikon CX3 will complement the company’s current flexo and digital production fleet, supporting growth by providing additional production capacity. It will also give the company greater flexibility to shift more short-run jobs from flexo to digital production, increasing cost-efficiency and productivity with no sacrifice in quality.
Action Packaging was established in 1979 with a mission to deliver labels in five days or less. This creates a highly demanding business model, and partnering with Xeikon is key to the company’s ability to continue to deliver that level of customer service, which sets it apart in the label business. Rice concludes, “Xeikon likes to be a partner with its customers, and Xeikon actually lives up to the true meaning of partnership, something they have proven to us time and again.”
