Kirwan invests in plastic bags

Kirwan Print Group is expanding its services launching a new short run on demand plastic bag production business under the name of Creatabull, as a new part of his Roller Poster operation.

Roger Kirwan, managing director, says, “Both Foxcil and Roller Poster have great brand recognition, but neither reflect our move into plastic bag production, hence the new brand. It is a trade service providing bags to printers and print buyers.”

He says, “Plastic bag production is a logical fit for Roller Poster, which already has the big flexographic print capabilities, all we have been missing is the bag making equipment.”

Kirwan has plastic bag making experience from his time as general manager of Mainguard Packaging in New Zealand.

[Related: Kirwan flags acquisition strategy]

Kirwan says he will never compete against big runs of plastic bags out of China, however he says  print buyers using Chinese suppliers are required to buy large quantities and wait many weeks, and this has presented him with an opportunity. He says, “That is where we come in – smaller runs and fast turnarounds. We believe demand for our bags will be from our print customers servicing retailers looking for high street shopping bags fast.

Kirwan says there were two main reasons he expanded his company into the plastic bag business.

“It is the perfect fit for Roller Poster, it has the big flexo graphic which you need to produce bags. We have already got the big expensive press, all we need is the finishing line.

“The second reason is my whole strategy is to service printers and print buyers with non-standard products to a commercial print buyer. I am not interested in business cards and letter heads. I am all about producing and sourcing things that are difficult for a client to source and bags are my thing,” he says.

“We expect to be able to offer bags that will feature the choice of handles, including flexi loop, and die punched, as well as closure options including hot melt and tape courier style bags with  sealable flaps.

“Typically the bags will be quality printed low density 80um style of bags, recyclable or Biodegradable, we are not looking at the high density single use supermarket style bags,” he says.

The equipment is still a couple of months away from final testing and installation. Kirwan bought two machines in the UK for Roller Poster with a wide range of capabilities.

“Because of two machines I have a wide range of capability. I imagine the bags can be up to any width within reason with probably a maximum of 600mm length,” he says.

This is the fourth company under the Kirwan Print Group name, Creatabull will be joining Roller Poster, Foxcil and the online Sudden Signs.

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