Code-It goes big with Mark Andy

15 hours ago
3 min read

Print Solutions

Warrington based independent converter Code-It Labels has installed a 20” Mark Andy Performance Series P7 flexo press to boost productivity and allow expansion into the flexible packaging sector at its plant in the north west of England.

According to owner and managing director Phil Barker, ‘We have a policy of continual investment in technology that allows us to meet our customers’ expectations of quality, reliability, and price.’ This has translated into a variety of Mark Andy flexo presses over the past 20 years, ranging from a 10” 2200 model, through two 13” Performance Series to the latest 20” Performance Series P7.

Established originally in 2000, the company moved into label production in 2002 and has never looked back thanks to the advice and support from the Mark Andy UK team, according to Phil Barker. As web widths widened, so too did Code-It’s colour capability, from six to eight, all fully UV cured, and the result was a tranche of new work for this family business.

This has seen the company’s premises grow to a current 10,000 square feet spread across five units, and staff numbers rise to 16. ‘We can now work a single shift pattern with the extra capacity the new Mark Andy press has given us – this has reduced costs as well as adding production volume,’ Phil stated.

The latest Performance P7 press is an eight colour servo driven flexo line from the top of the range Performance Series. Fitted with delam/relam, turn bars, laminating and a dual rewind, the press has full UV curing and the Chill Pack to allow for running unsupported film, a ‘must have’ as far as Code-It was concerned for its plans to grow further into flexible packaging. Usefully, it can also produce A4 booklets two-across.

Elsewhere in the factory, Code-It has digital inkjet capability for its short run work, but according to Phil there is always a clear divide between his company’s flexo and digital work. ‘With the ease and speed of makeready on a modern flexo press we can handle all but the shortest of runs economically. The auto register on the new Performance Series P7 is a great example of how Mark Andy has developed and refined its technology over the years to make life easier for the operator,’ he said.

With an impressive portfolio of leading brand clients, Code-It is keen to exploit the full potential of its new and wider flexo capability, especially with products like shrink sleeves for which there is a growing demand across the board. ‘Most of our flexible packaging work comes from existing label customers who are delighted to be able to source both types of printed packaging from one reliable supplier,’ he added.

Antony Cotton, sales manager at Mark Andy UK, commented: ‘Although the Performance Series P7 takes Code-It into a new web width, all its Mark Andy presses are compatible in terms of operation. Having different web widths is ideal for the range of products it manufactures, including the volume of peel and reveal labels that is showing increased demand. The company’s investment policy has given it the best of both worlds.’

Still leading from the top and with undimmed enthusiasm for the industry, Phil Barker has built a successful and profitable business based on a shrewd investment programme that has always been securely funded. With the latest flexo press taking the company into new market sectors, Mark Andy is optimistic for further installs at Code-It.

Concluding, he commented, ‘ISO 9001 and BRC accreditation quantify our quality, but it is our reputation and long standing partnerships built over the years that really matter – and on the supplier side we owe much of our success to Mark Andy technology and its support team.”’