PrintPack 2019: Redlands showcases their first automated envelope-maker

“Printers are now looking at print finishing as an essential part of their setup. We have been talking about it for a long time now. A good few years back, 25-30% of a print setup was print finishing equipment and the focus was more on book finishing, The current trend though sees the trend completely reversed with almost 75-80% of a print setup is print finishing,” said Ashlyn Antony, CEO of Redlands Machinery.

“This means we have to be ahead of the market in the products we introduce and our focus is to bring out smart finishing equipment rather than just focus on minor improvements,” he added.

The highlight of the show, according to Antony, is the fully automated envelope-making machine that they are showcasing at its stall. “The envelope-making machine requires zero makeready time. In fact, unlike any other machine, you do not need an expert operator to run it. Anyone who can enter numbers is sufficient,” explained Antony.

The machine, which can work at 15×10-inch size can produce 15,000 envelopes/hour. The stall also had their semi-automatic envelope maker at 4x6-inch size displayed.

“We want to take on the Chinese through the automation route, combined with quality and at a price which competes with them,” said Antony.

Talking about their recently opened manufacturing facility in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Antony said, “Like I said, our objective is to manufacture machines with automation as the key feature. First to be produced at our facility was the thermal laminators. Now, it is the envelope-makers. The next on the list is a folder-gluer currently in the R&D stage and should be ready with a prototype by mid-2020. We hope to launch it at the next edition of PrintPack India.”

The high-speed, fully automated die-cutter being demonstrated at the show can work at speeds of 7,500 sheets/hour with a hammer weight of 320-tonnes which Redlands believe will make creasing on thin stock easier.

“The year 2018 was decent for us, with around 65 installations, and in 2019, we definitely expect a sharp increase of about 30-40%,” concluded Antony.