French packaging print shop LGR Emballages S.A. is investing in three Speedmaster XL 105 presses from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). All three presses are equipped with the Prinect Inpress Control color measuring system, which controls color and register on the fly.

Headquartered in Oyonnax, LGR is one of France's largest packaging printers specializing in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical packaging (N°1 in France, N°3 in Europe) and litho printed corrugated boxes (N°2 in France). 650 employees work at 9 sites in France, Spain, and Belgium. "Our motto is to maintain technology leadership by using state-of-the-art presses that represent the ultimate in innovation. Prinect Inpress Control was one of the factors that led us to opt for Heidelberg. Pharmaceutical packaging in particular involves short runs, and the pressure on prices forces us to keep rationalizing our operations," explains LGR managing director Torben Reine. A Speedmaster XL 105 press has been operating at the Montelimar Le Teil plant, which specializes in pharmaceutical packaging, for four years. One of the two new machines is already in operation, while the other is being installed in the summer.

"It's impressive how quickly we achieve OK sheets with Prinect Inpress Control, resulting in extremely short makeready times, less waste, and very high quality," says a satisfied Philippe Ratte, member of the LGR Management Board responsible for technology. "This kind of highly industrialized and highly productive operation is particularly important for pharmaceutical packaging, with runs starting at just 2,000 sheets," he adds. The third new Speedmaster XL 105 will work alongside two existing Heidelberg presses at the LGR-CFL St. Eusèbe plant, which focuses mainly on packaging for the pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry.

"Our strategy of using presses from a single manufacturer at each of our plants has proved very successful. That's why we see Heidelberg as one of our strategic partners", explains Reine.

LGR is a member of the PharmaPact Group, a European strategic alliance for the pharmaceutical industry comprising three leading folding carton manufacturers. The two other companies are Edelmann in Germany and Nampak in the U.K and Italy. This alliance offers large pharmaceutical companies efficient suppliers who operate globally and also serve the local needs of individual production sites. In the area of corrugated board, LGR recently entered into a cooperation agreement with A & R Carton, a Swedish company based in Malmo.