As part of the Mayr-Melnhof Group, MM Packaging France S.A.S. is
one of Europe's top packaging printers. At its Monéteau
site near Auxerre, the Group now also has a large-format press from
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) - a Speedmaster XL 145
six-color press with coating unit, elevated feeder and delivery,
logistics, and Auto Non Stop system. To get the very best out of
the press, MMP has also secured an exceptional service package.
MMP France primarily produces food packaging. Some 200
employees make folding cartons for drinks, cereals, ready meals,
frozen food, confectionery, and pet food around the clock. Despite
the printing of food packaging being subject to particularly strict
hygiene requirements throughout the production process, the volumes
being processed are huge.
Since June 2010, this has been boosted by a Speedmaster XL
145-6-LX. As Dieter Allitsch, Managing Director of MMP France,
reveals, the company first started thinking about purchasing this
highly productive press several years ago. "We are expanding. We
were therefore looking for a press to optimize our cost structure
while also delivering impressive quality. It also needed to operate
under strict hygiene conditions and ensure optimum reliability in
production," he explains.
Packaging printing at full throttle
Following a detailed market analysis, MMP France
ultimately decided on the large-format press from Heidelberg.
Thanks to this large format, its speed of 15,000 sheets per hour,
and its AutoPlate XL automatic plate changer, the Speedmaster XL
145 already delivers a significant boost in productivity, but MMP
France wanted even more in terms of speed, efficiency, and
productivity. The company was looking to speed up other workflows,
too, so it ordered a press configuration with the Prinect Axis
Control color measurement and control system for faster inking-up
and less waste. The flagship press more than 30 meters long was
also elevated to benefit from larger numbers of sheets and higher
grammages in each pile. The configuration also includes an Auto Non
Stop system controlled from the Prinect Press Center. The system
feeds the sheets automatically, reliably, and without interruptions
and stacks them onto the pallets, while also avoiding superfluous
washup processes. "All in all, each step is much faster and this
also enables us to benefit from the growing demand for shorter
runs," says Allitsch.
Service package ensures reliability
He immediately adds that optimum reliability is just as
important to MMP as maximum productivity, stressing "The press also
has benefits in terms of food safety because its design helps
prevent the migration of foreign substances into the package
contents." The systematic focus on reliability is also reflected in
an exceptional service package that MMP has secured along with its
press investment. For eight years, Heidelberg will ensure the
virtually unlimited availability of the press, which operates at
top speeds almost around the clock. Shrewd business management lies
behind this move. As Allitsch objectively observes, "Not only are
sudden production stoppages annoying, they are above all expensive.
Being able to plan maintenance periods and costs is ultimately far
more economical." In addition to regular Systemservice maintenance
work and spare part replacements, the service package Heidelberg
has put together for MMP France therefore also includes a proactive
component known as Condition Monitoring. The Speedmaster XL 145
reports its operating status to Heidelberg via the Internet/a
Remote Service tool. The relevant data is assessed by Heidelberg
experts and complemented by findings from press inspections on
site. If the analysis identifies a potential problem, it can be
prevented before it actually occurs - at the most convenient time
for the company. And if the worst does come to the worst, MMP also
has access to the Heidelberg service hotline 24/7.
Last but not least, MMP France's all-in package includes
a mutually agreed number of training sessions that in particular
boost performance. The French packaging printer is free to choose
exactly what assistance is required on each occasion. "No doubt our
requirements will change significantly over the eight-year period,"
says Allitsch, looking to the future.
Image:
At its Monéteau site near Auxerre, the Mayr-Melnhof
Group now also has a large-format press from Heidelberg - a
Speedmaster XL 145 six-color press with coating unit, elevated
feeder and delivery, logistics, and Auto Non Stop system.
Images and further company information are available in the
press portal of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at
www.heidelberg.com.
For further information, please contact:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Public Relations
Thomas Fichtl
Phone: +49 (0)6221 92 5900
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 5069
E-mail:
thomas.fichtl@heidelberg.com