After adding a BOBST NOVACUT 106 E, the Malaysian packaging printing company has increased output by 35%, as it invests in the latest technology to meet customer demands and also prepares for a move into new markets.
This is the third generation of BOBST die-cutters that has been installed at the factory in Selangor, the result of a partnership that spans over 35 years. When it was first established in 1982, Tung Lim Press Sdn. Bhd. was a small three-man operation working out of a 1,400 sq ft plant. Since then, it has grown into a well-organised large corporation that is today one of Malaysia’s leading packaging printers. Along the way, the company has always chosen die-cutting technology from BOBST for its folding carton production, to serve customers in the food and drinks, pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors with high quality products.
“We started out with a BOBST SP 900 machine, which was the very first automatic die-cutter on the market, followed by an SP Evoline 102 E, and since then we have relied on BOBST for all of our die-cutting needs. Their machines are known for their excellent performance, and are always robust, reliable and very precise,” said Managing Director, Jeffery Wong. “In order to stay competitive, we are constantly upgrading the facilities to keep up with market trends, so we need top quality machinery.”
The present 83,000 sq ft Tung Lim Press factory stands on the banks of the Damansara River south-west of the capital Kuala Lumpur. The company runs a bank of three offset printing presses and three folder-gluers in addition to the three BOBST die-cutters, along with other converting equipment. With a turnover of over RM 25 million (US$ 6.1 million) and 110 staff, it has the capacity to turn out six million units each week.
Versatility and productivity in one machine
The latest generation of BOBST die-cutters, the NOVACUT 106 E Autoplaten® offers cost-effective cutting and stripping in-line. Tung Lim Press is already reaping the benefits of the machine’s ability to cut anything from paper, carton and solid board in thicknesses from 80 gsm up to 2,000 gsm and corrugated board of up to 4 mm, in sheet sizes from 350 x 400 mm to 760 x 1060 mm.
The BOBST NOVACUT 106 E was chosen in particularly for its high production speed and output combined with automation features, fast job changeovers and attractive price-performance ratio. “We are achieving an average production speed of 7,000 sheets per hour, which increases the production output by 35%. The die-cutter is also very operator friendly, and we highly rate its safety and the easy access to maintenance, which improves the working conditions for our operators,” explained Mr Wong.
With a high level of automation, the BOBST NOVACUT 106 E delivers more uptime and increased precision. Set-up is simple using the HMI SPHERE, which has a full colour 22-inch screen where all settings are displayed for convenient and intuitive navigation. This also enables repeat jobs to be loaded quickly. The integrated Quick-Lock system, automatic locking and unlocking of the upper stripping tools and CENTERLINE system for assembling, positioning and centering the tools ensure even delicate and light materials are cut and handled perfectly.
“Not only can we guarantee the quality of the products we make, the new die-cutter has also helped speed up our delivery times, so we can produce any job quickly and profitably, no matter whether they are small or large,” said Mr Wong, who also highlighted the excellent service provided by BOBST’s engineers. “We know from years of experience that we have the service backup we need to keep us operating through any crisis. This has given us peace of mind during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Die-cutting expertise and partnership key to growth
The BOBST NOVACUT 106 E embodies BOBST’s industry leading technology know-how and decades of experience in flatbed die-cutting. For Tung Lim Press, the added flexibility and increase in productivity in the converting department will translate into growth in sales, according to Mr Wong, who said that their projections forecast a 10% revenue increase per year.
“The most important aspect of any investment is that we maintain the quality that we have become known for and thereby keep the trust of our customers. This will contribute to the continuous growth in market share,” he added. “Our long-standing partnership with BOBST is key and we look forward to many more years of cooperation. We are planning to expand into corrugated products, so there is an exciting and challenging future ahead.”
“We are very proud of the many long-term partnerships we have all over the world. They are a testament to the longevity of BOBST and our continuous innovation,” said SEA Sales Director Folding Carton Industry, Attila Kajari. “We have seen Tung Lim Press develop from a tiny entity to one of Malaysia’s most respected packaging producers, and I’d like to think that BOBST has played an important part in the success of the company. With the BOBST NOVACUT 106 E, they have the best tools to grow further and increase sales of their high-quality cartons.”
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