Established in 1994, Watermill Press manufactures plain self-adhesive labels and is one of the largest suppliers of its kind supporting blue chip manufacturers of FMCGs in the UK. The new equipment compliments seven existing 410mm (16”) converting machines (all from AB Graphic International) at the company’s Bradford facility where it manufactures thermal label supplies for customers who print barcodes and variable data identification labels for use at product, case and pallet level.

Dale Deacon, Director, stated “We are very strong in supplying labels for manufacturers of FMCGs such as soft drinks, convenience meals, toiletries, household products etc. that fly off supermarket shelves. The new line will open up new market areas and enables us to manufacture fan folded labels for the first time. The turret rewinder will allow us to better service customers who use smaller label rolls on smaller cores – particularly in the transport, distribution and warehousing sector. New, larger material handling equipment will allow us to start receiving material from our paper suppliers in 6000m length rolls which should significantly improve production efficiency”.

Adds, Mark Hyde, Sales Manager at AB Graphic International, “ Watermill Press is one of the largest blank label producers in the UK and we are delighted at their continued confidence in our equipment. This is a massive investment in our products and we are proud to be part of the company’s growth and expansion plans”.

Commenting on the selection process, Deacon adds, “ We bought our first Omega from AB Graphic International more than a decade ago and it is still running flat out. We have considered competitors products when adding new equipment, but believe the package offered by AB Graphic International still remains the best option for build quality, functionality and reliability as well as service back-up and price”.

AB Graphic International is a worldwide supplier of label converting and finishing machines with facilities in the UK, Netherlands, Spain, Germany and United States. The company offers a full range of converting lines either standard or tailored to requirements. New products include the Digicon Series 2 modular label converter, the Digicoat to prepare substrates for digital printing, the Digilam film laminator and the FSR film rewinder. Specialised applications include pharmaceutical converting lines, 100% web inspection, laser die cutting, off-line RFID, booklet labelling and Braille machines. In 2007 the company was named official supplier of label converting systems for the HP digital print engine.