Digital Labels & Packaging technical editor Sean Smyth visits Baker Labels to see what the trade printer’s new HP Indigo 20000 means to the business and its customers.

Steve Baker has always run an extremely innovative, forward looking business and in 2019 it shows no sign of slowing up. Baker Labels has expanded the site, taking possession of the next door unit in Brentwood to house the powerful battery of flexo and digital kit that makes the company one of the biggest digital label printers in the world with three HP Indigo 6900 and two Screen Truepress Jet L350UV inkjet machines. Now it has bought a wider HP Indigo 20000 press, which is now installed, waiting for its partner laminator, mezzanine and the glass front enclosures for proper launch at the start of next year.

Digital Labels & Packaging asked Mr Baker why his company is making the move into packaging. According to Mr Baker, ‘Its like going back in time 20 years when you listen to packaging converters. The rhetoric is just like it was with labels – machines are too slow, they can’t compete with flexo and digital is just not for us.

‘We have a lot of interest from major packaging converters looking to provide new services of short run, fast turnaround flexibles, but they don’t have the experience and skills in digital that we have. As a trade printer we get the difficult tricky jobs with high ‘aggro’ factor. That is what we do and we will work with experienced flexo printers who know the materials and finishing. So together we think is a great business opportunity. We put the press in early as we have a lot of testing to complete before we launch properly, as we set up the laminator, pouch maker, and obtain BRC accreditation.’

It looks like a great opportunity. I was also very impressed by the success Bakers has had in employing enthusiastic young people, with many fresh faces in admin and on the shop floor among the hundred or so staff. ‘They take to digital like ducks to water,’ according to Steve Baker. ‘But of course we look after them, for example we have a wellbeing and training area called The Zone Club, where our people can receive one-to-one coaching or counselling, along with accountability and motivational groups for additional support. We believe that if our staff are happy and their wellbeing is being looked after, then they will be a valuable, productive part of their team.’

It’s not just the intelligent use of digital label printing that helps Bakers stand out, but also the can-do highly supportive culture that lets the business successfully exploit new opportunities. And flexible packaging is an enormous opportunity.