The quartet is now complete. Based in Neuenstein in the Swabian region of Germany, Hepack Druck und Verpackung GmbH recently put into operation its fourth die cutter from the Dymatrix family manufactured by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). The Dymatrix 106 CS puts the finishing touches to postpress operations at the packaging print company and joins the three other Heidelberg die cutters already in situ. Two Dymatrix 106 CSB and one Dymatrix 142 CSB had already been installed between 2004 and 2009. Hepack specializes in the mass production of packaging, primarily for the food industry.

The Dymatrix 106 CS represents an additional investment that became necessary due to the continued growth of Hepack. Hepack consumes around 20,000 tons of solid board each year. The company only processes solid board of up to 600 grams per square meter and its print runs are generally in the region of 100,000-300,000 folding cartons per job. "However, there is a clear trend toward shorter print runs, even in packaging printing for customers in the food industry," explains Managing Director Peter Heim. "We ordered the new Dymatrix without blanking because manual separation is more economical when it comes to dealing with lots of short print runs. The main reason behind our decision to opt for a fourth machine from the same series was the fact that we have enjoyed many successful years using the Heidelberg concept with its hallmarks of quiet operation and high die cutting quality."

Working in three-shift operation over 5.5 days, Hepack manufactures packaging products such as folding cartons, folders, and displays. While its primary customers are food and confectionary manufacturers, the company also supplies the hygiene industry and manufacturers of household appliances. The company employs around 80 staff and has enjoyed double-digit growth compared to the previous year. The equipment housed in its pressroom includes a Speedmaster XL 105-6 with inline coating unit and two Speedmaster CD 102 six-color presses with coating unit and double coating unit. The Heidelberg presses were supplied along with the Systemservice 36plus service package.

Heidelberg has been active in packaging printing for many years now and presented end-to-end production and software solutions from a single source for the first time at drupa 2008. Its portfolio includes solutions for prepress, press, postpress, and integration based on Prinect Workflow.

The new large-format series Speedmaster XL 145 and Speedmaster XL 162 round off the top end of the sheetfed offset portfolio. The presses have been designed primarily for use in the packaging printing and industrial publishing sectors. Die cutters and folder gluers are available for postpress in the packaging printing sector. Services, training, and tried-and-tested consumables marketed under the Saphira name complement this portfolio. In the medium term, Heidelberg aims to generate 25 percent of its sales in the packaging printing sector.