Since April, Stratus Packaging's Feytiat site in Haute-Vienne has been equipped with a new digital finishing line, the DigiLite from AB Graphic International. With its eight production sites in France and Switzerland, Stratus Packaging, which boasts a turnover of sales of 90 million euros, transforms adhesive labels, shrink sleeves and IML solutions for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The challenge at this Haute-Vienne site is twofold: to increase productivity while compensating for the shortage of manpower.
This new line features a semi-automatic turret rewinding system designed to operate without interruption during reel changes. This turret system, integrated on the Digicon platform, assists the operator during roll transitions without interrupting the line.
The DigiLite line, which reaches 90 meters per minute, is also equipped with an 800 mm cantilever unwinder, a quick-change rotary flexo unit, a semi-rotary die-cutting station and a weeding system. It can be used for laminating, for applications such as cold stamping, selective varnishing and film application.
Additional automation functions are provided by AutoSlit, the automatic slitting system developed by ABG, and iScore, which adjusts the slitter without handling.
For Isidore Leiser, CEO of Stratus Packaging, this installation "was a no-brainer: it's a concrete improvement that's aligned pa rfectly with our working methods and the challenges we face."
And with more than 30 ABG machines installed at Group sites, he emphasizes: "Reducing the number of suppliers allows us to better master equipment, reduce training requirements and increase our internal agility â?" an increasingly crucial aspect in the face of recruitment difficulties."
From the British manufacturer's point of view, Matt Burton, Global Sales Director at ABG, explains: "Stratus Packaging has been a trusted partner for many years, and its feedback has played a key role in guiding our developments. The semi-automatic turret rewinder is a direct response to the needs of our customers, particularly those who have to manage large workloads with small shifts."
