Three existing Komori presses at the Integrated Packaging site, and three in Newcastle, have also been upgraded to increase throughput by five million sheets a year each.
The Lithrone SX40 40-inch sheetfed press, which has installed earlier this month, has six units to produce 18,000 sheets an hour and is expected to produce some 40 million sheets in the first year.
Benson Group managing director Mark Kerridge said expanding the Gateshead plant’s printing capability was essential for future growth.
“It should ensure we are able to cope with the additional carton business we expect to win over the coming year,” he said.
Benson invested in a new Heidelberg press for its Leicestershire plant in July, but kerridge said it “made sense to stay with Komori for the North East”.
Steve Turner, Komori UK’s general sales manager for sheetfed presses, said the firm was pleased to have secured the first European installation for the Kithron SX40.
“The press is packed with features such as fully automatic plate-mounting and out self-learning pre-inking system, Komori KHS-AI Advanced Intelligence, that ensures the job is ready after very few makeready sheets.
Benson Group aquired Integrated Packaging in Gateshead in December 2007.
The announcement of the installation comes a day after Benson Group’s Medica Packaging division revealed it had joined Copapharm Europe, the pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers’ alliance.
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