Chesapeake’s Branded Packaging division will extend its range of creative print finishes available to the premium spirits, fine confectionery and personal care markets it serves with the purchase of the longest ever B1 printing press produced by Heidelberg. 

The Speedmaster XL 106 perfector, which has been installed at Chesapeake East Kilbride, has a staggering 17 print units – as well as an in-line cold foiling option. 

Tim Whitfield, Vice-President of Chesapeake Branded Packaging says: “East Kilbride supplies some of the world’s most prestigious brands and many of the packs it produces demand an ultra-high quality finish and outstanding shelf appeal. This significant investment will bring a number of processes inline providing greater quality control. We will be able to provide multiple colour applications, foiling and an even greater range of matt, gloss and pearlescent finishes, including metallics, spot and solid applications.”

The press is equipped with coating units both before and after printing and perfecting that will allow Chesapeake East Kilbride to provide customers with a range of finishes & effects inside as well as outside the box. It will provide customers with a greater choice of substrate options, without compromising a pack’s aesthetic appeal.

The press is part of a major company-wide investment programme. Chesapeake Branded Packaging’s carton operations in the UK, Germany and Poland have all benefited from significant press investments in the last two years. The investment in East Kilbride follows the UK’s first Heidelberg VLF packaging press at its sister plant in Newcastle. That site runs the Speedmaster XL145 which has seven printing and two coating units, interdeck drying and extended delivery and also a high specification XL 105.

Jim Todd, sales director of Heidelberg UK, says: “This latest B1 press is a huge step forward in technology. This is a press that will satisfy both current and future brand-owner requirements. This press has really advanced technical features such as Autoplate XL plate-changing and Logistics fully automated materials handling. These help to maximise efficiency and service and to seamlessly integrate into any facility. The installation at Chesapeake certainly stands out being described internally as a “flying submarine”!