WestRock has invested in an HP PageWide T1190 six-colour pre-print corrugated press to complement and expand its portfolio of corrugated printing capabilities, increase value and enable its customers to ‘win in the marketplace’.
Vertically integrated from paper manufacturing to printing and converting, WestRock is a provider of sustainable paper and packaging options.
HP PageWide T1190 is a 2.8m-wide inkjet digital pre-print press capable of running at 305m/min, running water-based CMYK+OV inks for an extended colour gamut. Integrated HP One Package software enhances the digital production responsiveness and flexibility.
The press – set for installation during 2023 at WestRock’s speciality printing facility in Lithia Springs, Georgia and expected to be in operation by the end of September that year – is slated to enhance WestRock’s existing offset litho, flexo pre-print, flexo direct print and sheet-fed digital printing used within the company’s global network of corrugated box plants and speciality facilities. Specifically, reduced minimum order quantities will contribute to total cost efficiencies while decreasing lead times for retail packaging. The new press will also support diversified, segmented and regionalised market launches and promotional programmes due to its ‘inherent flexibility’, noted WestRock, while accommodating specific retailer requirements. Serialisation to support brand and consumer engagement programmes, reward programmes, tracking and tracing, and authentication, and helping to reduce obsolescence and product aging are further benefits highlighted.
Nickie Parker, senior vice president, merchandising displays and graphic solutions at WestRock, said, ‘At WestRock we believe in innovating to serve our customers. Expanding our high-quality corrugated printing capabilities to include a state-of-the-art wide web digital press enables our teams to provide more options to our customers and engage consumers at a whole new level.
Ted Samotis, worldwide director of corrugated go-to-market, HP PageWide Industrial Packaging, said, ‘We are honoured to have WestRock select HP’s digital print solutions to contribute to its innovative and sustainable packaging production. The HP PageWide T1190 Press will enable WestRock to disrupt the corrugated packaging supply chain and offer superior value to its customers.’
