Printcare invests Rs 750 mln in new printing technology

Printcare Plc, the nation’s top packaging exporter and pioneer in Sri Lanka’s tea packaging sector, is investing over Rs. 750 million (US$5 million) in new printing technology through Germany’s Heidelberg.

Heidelberg is among the world’s biggest manufacturers of printing machines and also in the digital label printing industry. “We have a history of innovation and a track record of introducing new technologies. These investments follow our rich history of knowing where the curve is going and staying ahead of it,” said Krishna Ravindran, General Manager, Printcare PLC, in a media release issued by the company.

With only limited technology of this nature in Asia, Printcare’s new Gallus RCS equipment is set to redefine local label printing capabilities enabling maximum flexibility in the selection of printing methods and an exceptionally high level of automation.

“In today’s world of intense competition, brand owners crave innovation and will grab it when it becomes available. We have known our customers to be extremely progressive and they are anxious to keep pace with the rest of the world. Our goal is to facilitate this move.” Mr. Ravindran noted.

He explained how the tea bag industry showcased higher growth in the 1980s after Printcare made superior packaging available to it. Prior to the advent of Printcare there were just 10 tea bag machines in the country and they were importing all their material. Today there are well over 500 and Sri Lanka is the largest tea bag producing country in the world. Also, the company’s introduction of high value box making and embellished cartons recently has produced similar results enabling these tea boxes to be showcased with the best overseas.

“The current generation of label presses in Sri Lanka is basic. Our new hybrid machinery, the first of its kind in the country, will have the ability to use multiple printing processes and finishes in one pass exhibiting the differentiation on the shelf our customers seek through a visual advantage,” Mr. Ravindran was quoted as saying in the release.

Printcare says product labels are a key form of marketing for a brand on the store shelf and the vibrancy and detail offered by the new equipment will truly make it (labels) stand out.