Petone Printer Reaching New Heights

Petone Printer Reaching New Heights

Ground-breaking product packaging techniques developed by Gravure Packaging Ltd (GPL) have again been recognised, with the Petone (Wellington)-based printer winning one of the most prestigious prizes at the 2016 Pride In Print Awards.

The Gravure Process Award -- one of four prizes awarded to GPL by the event’s stringently-critiquing judges this year -- was bestowed for innovative and quality production of the Healtheries Real Food Bar Ginger and Lemon.

Judges comments on the flexible packaging specialist’s work, which also earned a Gold Medal in the Industry Development Category, included: “Sharp and impressive, a reward for product and technique development.”

GPL technical manager Grant Amelung says having already established a healthy industry reputation -- with its particular printing method noted for producing sharp and fine images in characteristically longer-run work -- the flexible packaging specialist is setting its bar yet higher.

“We have spent the past two years developing cylinders to deliver extremely-high print resolution,” he says.

“By partnering with our ink supplier and cylinder engraver, and investing in new printing press equipment, GPL is now able to deliver images of ultra-high definition -- far exceeding industry standard resolutions.

“The unique 3D shape of our cylinders’ engraved cells and the use of ultra-modern electrostatic printing assist means we can achieve a vignette down to nearly 0% -- unprecedented for the gravure process -- with nearly invisible dot structure.

“We have now doubled the level of print resolution we are able to achieve and as a result can produce a much sharper and more realistic image for our clients.”

Mr Amelung adds that the smaller cells used in GPL’s innovative technique mean there is less ink laydown which therefore has the added environmental benefit of delivering significant power and other savings.

In what has been an exciting recent period for the 1980s-established firm, GPL’s solid business growth has been further enhanced and complemented by the June 2015 purchase of Sydney-based flexographic printing specialist Australian Packaging (APL).

GPL commercial manager Andrew Young says the strategic acquisition has provided an opportunity to cross-sell on both sides of the Tasman and offers clients a “significantly-expanded product portfolio”.

“APL predominantly produces for the food and FMCG markets, with one of its strongest portfolios being pie wrapping -- including for the well-recognised Mrs Macs brand,” says Mr Young.

“It also produces high-quality laminates for ‘rewind packaging’ in the snack food sector.

“A notable recent innovation of APL’s is the Micro-Crisp film, which is specially-designed to crisp-up pastry-based foods such as pies, sausage rolls, pasties, quiche and pizza in the microwave -- in an all-in-one packaging solution.”

Mr Young says the combined entity is now servicing an expanding number of significant FMCG players in the Australian market and “growing our customer base on the back of superior quality and lead times”.

To keep pace with this growth, GPL has recently increased its workforce to 40 people, including the appointment of Jai Chand as production manager. Most recently employed with Charta Packaging, Mr Chand is considered to bring a significant packaging pedigree and experience to the firm.

“We are taking on staff at the moment and are committed to ongoing investment in our growth as a business across Australasia,” continues Mr Young.

“GPL Australian sales now account for nearly 35% of turnover -- up 20% on a year ago.

“We are planning further capital investment and pursuing an acquisition strategy to boost capacity and our product portfolio, whilst remaining committed to being both a quality and customer-responsive business.”

In this vein, Mr Young says GPL managing director Greg Chapman is currently in Europe visiting suppliers and attending the Drupa trade show where he is “looking at new technologies to both enhance and grow product offering and quality”.

Gravure Packaging’s full list of achievements at this year’s Pride In Print Awards entailed:

• Process Award, Gravure -- Healtheries Real Food Bar Ginger and Lemon

• Gold Medal, Industry Development -- Healtheries Real Food Bar Ginger and Lemon

• Gold Medal, Business Print -- Chobani Lemon Yoghurt

• Highly Commended -- Healtheries Real Food Bar LSA and Cranberry

To date GPL has been a Supreme Award Finalist/Category/Process Winner five times as well as earning 30 Gold Medals and 20 Highly Commended citations at the prestigious Pride In Print Awards.

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