In the latest expansion to its comprehensive range of solutions for service providers across the print, sign, and graphics sector, Currie Group has inked a partnership with Pro Cut to supply the Fold Stream range of print finishing systems to the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Pro Cut is a family-owned, German-based manufacturer which has provided systems integration and custom solutions for the print finishing market for more than 20 years. At drupa 2024, Pro Cut launched its own range of innovative, tailor-made finishing solutions to the market under the Fold Stream brand name.
Currie Group expects the new partnership to expand its range of finishing solutions by adding new, high-efficiency short-to-medium run folding and glueing options, which ideally complement the solutions from some of the company’s existing partners such as Horizon, KAMA and Foliant.
Currie Group category manager for post-press equipment Alan Tam said he and director of operations Marcus Robinson connected with Pro Cut’s founders Dirk and Jacqueline Stunkel at drupa, through their close relationship with existing Currie Group partner, Horizon.
“Pro Cut and Horizon in Europe have a great working relationship, with the Fold Stream range providing efficient and cost-effective entry-level folder gluer systems which complement the Horizon product portfolio,” Tam said.
“We were impressed with the quality and productivity of the machines we saw on the Pro Cut stand at drupa, and particularly with their ease of use.”
Pro Cut machines boast extremely fast and simple set ups and change overs between jobs, which can be done in a matter of minutes.
This is complemented by high run speeds of up to 10,000 units an hour for straight-line box production, and between 4,000 to 6,000 an hour for more complex products like pillow boxes, wallets and folders.
“This makes the Fold Stream machines a very profitable solution for short or medium runs,” Tam said.
“And, because they are so simple to use, they don’t require much training or expertise to operate, which is a real bonus with the current shortage of skilled tradespeople.”
Pro Cut founder Dirk Stunkel said he is excited to bring the company’s innovative solutions to the A/NZ market.
“Building on the overwhelming positive response we received at drupa 2024 for our Fold Stream range, we’re excited to bring these innovative solutions to Australia and New Zealand,” Stunkel said.
“Our machines’ ease of use and flexibility make them perfect for short-run productions, similar to the challenges faced in Europe where labour shortages and high costs are a challenge.”
The Pro Cut Fold Stream range is completely modular and tool-less to operate, so systems can be configured to suit individual requirements, and units can be added as production requirements change.
Options include manual hand-feed or continuous feeders, shingle-conveyors and delivery stackers, tape applicators, hot melt or cold glue applicators, tipper plates and cross-folding units for wallets and pockets. The three-point glueing (for auto lock bottom boxes) and rotary creasing options were released recently.
According to Tam, Currie Group is expecting the range to be popular with businesses which need to produce several different jobs a day, in runs from the low thousands to tens of thousands.
Two Pro Cut folder gluers have already been ordered by Australian customers and will be installed in the coming months.
“That’s definitely the sweet spot. It really will be the perfect solution for a range of businesses, from smaller packaging operations to commercial printers who want to expand into the label and packaging market, or larger PSPs who need a more efficient and profitable way to produce those shorter runs,” he said.
Currie Group CEO Rob Mesaros said the new partnership is another demonstration of the company’s commitment to providing total solutions for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Pro Cut to bring these high-quality, value for investment finishing solutions to the market in this part of the world,” Mesaros said.
“The new partnership is part of our ongoing quest to ensure print service providers in Australia and New Zealand have access to the solutions which best suit their production requirements and can invest with confidence knowing that they have the full support of the largest technical support and service team in the region.
“As a family-owned company with a history of customer-focused service and innovation, Pro Cut is a great fit for Currie Group, and we look forward to working with them.”
Pro Cut Co-founder Jacqueline Stunkel says her company is equally pleased.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Currie Group, a well-established and respected player in the printing industry in Australia and New Zealand,” she said.
“We believe that our shared commitment to providing exceptional solutions and service makes us a natural fit, and we’re looking forward to working closely together to bring innovative print finishing technology to this region.”
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