Benjamit Metal Printing, founded in 1967 by five friends in Thailand, has evolved significantly over its history, transitioning from a metal printing specialist to a company that also produces plastic packaging. Today, Benjamit Packaging Co. Ltd specializes in printing directly onto both metal and plastic containers, offering customers a streamlined supply chain and cost efficiencies by avoiding in-mould labels. The company has a long history of investing in advanced machinery to maintain high-quality standards and meet customer demand with rapid turnaround times.
A key milestone in Benjamit’s journey was the 2010 purchase of a Crabtree metal decorating press, equipped with a GEW UV NUVA+ system, which marked their transition to UV flexo printing. This system featured two print units with UV curing after the first unit and three GEW UV lamps for final curing after the second unit. The decision to adopt UV technology was driven by the desire for efficiency, speed, and reliability, as well as positive feedback from Crabtree about GEW’s UV systems. Thongchai Oranrigsupak, Managing Director of Benjamit, emphasized that the move to UV printing has been a success, delivering significant value to the business.
However, by 2024, the 14-year-old NUVA+ system began showing signs of obsolescence, with spare parts becoming scarce and expensive, leading to reliability issues and downtime. This prompted Benjamit to upgrade to GEW’s newer NUVA2 system, a 4-lamp, 120cm air-cooled UV curing system. The upgrade was driven by the need for improved efficiency, lower energy costs, and greater reliability. Benjamit’s trust in GEW’s products and the strong local support provided by GEW’s Thai distributor, Press Systems, played a crucial role in the decision. Thongchai highlighted the excellent service and support from Press Systems, particularly their ability to handle repairs and provide training during the installation process.
The new NUVA2 system has delivered immediate benefits to Benjamit’s operations. The energy efficiency of the system has improved by over 30%, significantly reducing operational costs. Additionally, the printing speed has increased from 3,000 sheets per hour (sph) to 5,000 sph, enhancing productivity and enabling the company to serve more customers faster. Thongchai noted that the upgrade has been a game-changer for the business, allowing them to maintain their competitive edge in the market.
Reflecting on the advantages of UV printing, Thongchai emphasized that while conventional printing methods can achieve similar print quality, they are far less efficient. UV printing eliminates the need for large ovens, reduces gas usage, and minimizes the factory footprint. Furthermore, UV technology aligns with sustainability goals by lowering energy consumption and reducing the carbon footprint. Thongchai expressed his enthusiasm for UV printing and his interest in exploring UV LED technology in the future, once it becomes viable for metal printing applications.
Overall, Benjamit’s investment in the GEW NUVA2 system has reinforced their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. The upgrade has not only addressed the challenges posed by the aging NUVA+ system but also positioned the company for continued growth and success in the competitive metal decorating and packaging industry.
.
.
.
#BenjamitMetalPrinting #UVUpgrade #MetalDecorating #EfficiencyBoost #EnergySavings #CrabtreePress #GEWUV #NUVA2System #SustainablePrinting #ProductivityImprovement #PrintingInnovation #UVFlexo #MetalPackaging #TechUpgrade #PrintingSolutions
