Scottish packaging specialist Gavin Watson, part of The GT4 Group, has installed a Duplo DSM-1000 B2 die cutter to expand its in-house finishing capabilities and support growing demand for short-run packaging.
The investment follows the recent installation of an HP Indigo 35K Digital Packaging Press and will allow the company to bring more finishing work in-house, reduce turnaround times and improve production flexibility.
Gavin Watson, which has more than 160 years of printing heritage, operates from a 24,000sqft facility employing approximately 60 people. Its customers include established brands in the whisky, food and drinks sectors, alongside emerging businesses.
The company’s existing equipment includes a seven-colour Komori LS 729 B2+ lithographic press with coater, HP Indigo digital printing technology and two Gietz hot foiling machines.
Tom Brown, CEO of The GT4 Group, explained: “The installation will significantly improve our production capabilities by allowing us to bring work in-house and giving us greater control over the entire production process.”
The DSM-1000 will be used to cut and crease sleeves, boxes and promotional materials, while a PFi Blade B2 will provide rapid prototyping capabilities.
According to Mr Brown, the decision to invest in the Duplo system rather than a conventional die cutter was driven by the need to accommodate shorter runs and faster job changeovers.
“A key factor in our decision was the speed and simplicity of make-readies, allowing jobs to be set up quickly and efficiently, reducing downtime and making short-run and bespoke work more commercially viable.”
Other considerations included the machine’s waste ejection system, registration control and ability to produce three cuts on a sheet from a single die.
Mr Brown also highlighted the training provided during installation, which helped operators integrate the equipment into the existing workflow with minimal disruption.
The investment forms part of The GT4 Group’s wider strategy to develop its lithographic, flexographic and digital packaging capabilities.
“Our investment in technology and continuous improvement positions us to grow within the expanding short-run digital market, offering greater flexibility, faster turnaround times and consistently high-quality results,” concluded Mr Brown.
