Flexible packaging printing specialist RollsPack made the launch of its new nine-colour gravure printing line official on 26 June at its Braeside, Victoria facility.
The event was attended by customers, local dignitaries and RollsPack staff from Australia and New Zealand.
Paul Peulich, mayor of Kinsgston Council, John Roskam, executive director Institute of Public Affairs Australia, and Ken Morgan OAM of Kids Undercover (a charity supported by RollsPack), each gave an address which echoed two key sentiments. Firstly, this investment by RollsPack is a significant step by a forward-thinking SME that will bring valuable employment to the district and help keep packaging converting work in Australia. And secondly, the man behind it all, company founder and MD Phillip Rolls, should be commended for his ongoing commitment to the packaging printing industry, to his staff and to his community in the years since he founded the company in 1986.
“Be proud of what you’ve done, it’s a tribute to your passion, your commitment and your craft,” said John Roskam, addressing Phillip Rolls.
The ribbon – appropriately a strip of tamper-evident tape – is cut and the line is officially opened by the mayor of Kingston, Paul Peulich (second from left), with John Roskam, Phillip Rolls and Ken Morgan.
As previously reported on packagingnews.com.au, RollsPack’s latest multimillion dollar investment represents a massive leap forward for the business in delivering high-end flexible packaging solutions to the food packaging sector, and it creates an opportunity for brand owners to upgrade the quality of their print graphics at a time when competition for shelf space and consumer attention has never been higher.
“The gravure press brings unique capabilities and efficiencies to RollsPack and our customers,” said RollsPack MD and founder Phillip Rolls. “It offers a high resolution, photographic reproduction quality that is not achievable through the flexographic process.”
Rolls said he is proud of the company’s capacity to invest in Australian packaging when many companies are moving their business offshore.
RollsPack is the only SME in the market offering this technology at a time when this level of quality is in high demand, he said.
“It meets a recognised shift in the market that is increasing its demand for ready-to-consume products, single-serve packs, increased packaging per unit and multiple varieties of products,” he said.
“In world terms, Australia is a small market, yet we’re the most competitive when it comes to pricing and expectations. Supermarkets are demanding just in time, most industry sectors are demanding just in time, and that’s what we can supply – accuracy, vibrancy, quality and speed to market.”
“This is how we can compete with imports, being able to offer a short lead time combined with high quality.”
He says that the new technology is well suited to SMEs with lower print runs, allowing them to compete using sophisticated packaging that speaks clearly to their customers.
“As an SME ourselves, we know how important it is to be able to compete with larger players. This is a significant capital investment for us, however, it’s a strategic move that will allow us as a manufacturer to compete with not just the best technology but also with the greatest quality and efficiency.”
He explained that apart from the exceptional vibrancy and clarity the new press can bring to the images and graphics on the packaging, it allows for higher run speeds, simplifies the operational process and reduces waste at the start and finish of a print run,” he said.
Rolls said, “This investment is just the beginning; it shows that our vision for the future of this company and the industry is committed and we look forward to working with our customers to help them reinvigorate their brands though our packaging."
