ePac Flexible Packaging, a full-service provider offering pre-media, digital printing, laminating, and pouch making services, has beefed up its global operations with the addition of 24 HP Indigo 20000 digital presses.
According to the company, the investment was worth US$100 million and the units will be rolled out in 2020.
In a statement, it said the new wave of digital presses will aid in its continued disruption of the global flexible packaging market, along with offering new opportunities for SMBs, as well as larger consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs).
The “significant expansion” is the largest packaging deal to date for HP.
ePac Flexible Packaging CEO Jack Knott said the deal nearly doubles production capacity for ePac, to expand within the next year from 28 presses in 12 locations to over 52 operating units at 20 sites – including new locations opened in Canada and the UK.
“In every market we enter, we experience a similar reception. SMBs partner with us to help them grow into bigger brands, and as they grow, they see opportunities to rapidly bring new products to market and run more targeted promotions,” Knott said.
“Based on our success, we’ve decided to accelerate our business plan with an additional investment. We have figured out how to drive the digital transformation within the flexible packaging market for short, medium and even longer strategic runs with this game-changing technology provided by HP Indigo.”
ePac’s key markets include coffee, pet food, nutritional supplements, snacks, health and beauty, organic foods, cheese and dairy, and bakery products.
HP Inc general manager and global head of graphics solutions business Santi Morera said as a result of the continued collaboration between HP and ePac, brands of all sizes can obtain high-quality, digitally printed flexible packaging in quick turnaround times, with low minimum orders, high variation and personalisation options.
“The meteoric rise of ePac and its business model based on HP Indigo digital printing technology in just a few years is truly amazing,” Morera said.
”Our customers love the advantages of working with an eco-conscious, community-based packaging partner and the financial impact of fast time to market with the ability to order to demand,” ePac CMO Carl Joachim added.
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