SUN Automation Group^®, a recognised leader in the global corrugated sector, is marking 120 years of combined innovation and customer service since Langston Corporation, the company it acquired in 2001, produced its first Single Facer corrugated machine in 1895. 

Charles Langston, and then his son Samuel, were the earliest pioneers of corrugated manufacturing, creating around 50 patents for ever more sophisticated machinery including the Double Facer, Variable Voltage Drives, and Preconditioning/Tensioning Devices. Langston expanded into Europe as early as 1952 and the Far East in 1961 and, after passing through various corporate owners, was finally acquired by SUN Automation in 2001.

SUN Automation’s General Manager EMEA, Rob Dal Lago said: “The acquisition of Langston was an inspired move as the two companies have a very similar ethos of customer comes first, and a parallel history of innovation and product development. Many of the ex-Langston engineers are still part of the SUN Automation team, bringing to customers incredibly valuable expertise and experience, especially with older machinery that needs a little TLC to remain in operation.” 

The Langston acquisition handed to SUN Automation all trademarks, patents, designs, inventory and equipment for Langston, Staley^®, and Greenwood^® machinery, further expanding the scope of support available to box makers from the company. SUN Automation has a number of Aftermarket Service Centres around the globe, strategically placed so that customers can access support quickly and cost-effectively.

Rob Dal Lago added: “SUN Automation has a worldwide reputation for product innovation and helping the industry to produce more, at higher quality, and lower cost. Our superb Aftersales operation, in contrast, has been flying somewhat under the radar. SUN Automation engineers are often called upon to repair or enhance machinery that can be 20, 30, or even 40 years old – and their actions can literally save a plant from going under where the owner simply doesn’t have the funds to invest in new equipment. That’s something to be really proud of – and something that Charles and Samuel Langston would no doubt have fully endorsed.”

Serving equipment manufacturers (OEM customers) as well as direct end-users (box-makers), SUN Automation is also celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year.