On the factory floor at PLP Labels at Mega Park in Bellville South one thing stands out: an empty space reserved for a new machine that is set to reshape operations.
Behind this installation is a customer-supplier partnership that has spent months aligning logistics, operator readiness and technical specifications to ensure the press is fully operational in January 2026.
For PLP Labels owner Emil Miller and his team, the decision to invest in Weigang followed careful evaluation. ‘Kamboo presented the options with clarity,’ he says. ‘There were plenty of other presses to consider, but Weigang met every requirement. They were transparent about the specifications – the servo motors, the UV curing system, everything. You know what you’re getting, and that’s rare these days,’
Emil says. ‘It’s hard to describe the anticipation. This machine is going to change the way we operate.’
The Weigang difference
‘The notion that Chinese press quality is inferior is fast becoming outdated,’ says Kamboo MD Jacques Human. ‘Over the last few years, engineering expertise has evolved tremendously. Today, machines like the ZJR-350G match both the performance and reliability of European presses.’
Weigang’s credibility is rooted in its scale and precision. The company’s 31 000m² campus in Zhejiang province, roughly 500km from Shanghai, is a self-contained industrial facility. Multiple manufacturing blocks, CNC workshops, dedicated R&D centres and even staff accommodations indicate a company that invests as much in process and people as it does in machinery. The plant produces up to 27 flexo presses a month, all thoroughly tested before export to more than 80 countries, serving a global base exceeding 7 000 customers.
‘Weigang presses are designed for high-speed, high-quality production without compromising operator usability,’ adds Russell Muller, Kamboo’s national sales manager. ‘They’re robust, technically refined and built for long-term value.’
Engineering meets innovation
The ZJR-350G is built for real-world production demands. It is equipped with Siemens servo motors, drives and PLCs, UV curing systems (both LED and conventional lamp options), anti-static bars, corona treatment and a full range of inline finishing capabilities. It can handle everything from die cutting to hot foil stamping. The semi-rotary die cutting system allows quick die changes using a single magnetic cylinder, reducing setup time and tooling costs.
‘The standout advantage of the Weigang press is its long-term production stability across a wide range of applications,’ says Emma Ye, sales manager at Weigang. ‘It is designed to run reliably day after day, maintaining consistent registration and web control across very different substrates – from ultra-thin 12µm packaging film to heavy 500gsm cardboard.’
At the core of Weigang’s approach is modular engineering. ‘Our presses are designed around modularity, practical precision and adaptability,’ Emma notes. ‘Rather than offering fixed, one-size-fits-all machines, we allow customers to configure functions according to their actual application needs. This gives converters flexibility as job requirements evolve, without overinvesting in unnecessary complexity.’
According to Emil, features such as the ribbon saver on the cold foiling unit are invaluable. ‘It automatically stops the foil advance in unprinted areas, cutting waste and costs. And the variable data system allows us to produce sequential codes, barcodes or personalised information on each label.’ The machine prints on a wide range of substrates, opening opportunities for diverse applications. ‘As well as labels, we’re now looking at producing high-quality flexible packaging,’ Emil adds.
Speed and savings
During trials, PLP Labels’ production speeds increased from 25-30m/min on previous presses to 80m/min with variable data on the Weigang ZJR-350G, with the possibility of reaching up to 180m/min on standard labels. ‘This could push our capacity more than fourfold,’ Emil says.
Material and setup savings have also improved. Where setting up previously required around 250m of material and more than an hour, the ZJR-350G requires 30m, or 10 minutes if everything is prepped. ‘Efficiency is everything. The time and material savings alone make a tangible difference. And the speed means we’ll be printing faster than ever,’ Emil continues.
Confidence in Weigang was reinforced when Emil, his team and members of Kamboo visited the Weigang factory in Zhejiang. ‘It’s a fully functional industrial campus,’ Emil says. ‘Everything is meticulously ordered. This is a place of precision, with multiple R&D centres and dedicated staff accommodation. The engineering standards rival the best in Europe.’
PLP Labels and Kamboo describe Weigang’s factory as clean, precise and highly disciplined. ‘A clean, well-organised factory is about control: of tolerances, workflows and accountability. That discipline supports consistent machine performance, reliable delivery and continuous improvement, which are central to our manufacturing culture,’ says Emma.
The Kamboo guarantee
Throughout the process, Kamboo has been a partner, Emil says. ‘Whatever we threw at them, they came back with clear answers and solutions. Seeing the press run for the first time was genuinely exciting – our chief operator was buzzing. We arrived well prepared and the press delivered exactly as promised.’
Russell outlines Kamboo’s methodology: ‘Confidence comes from clarity of information. Before installation, we provide comprehensive briefings and trials. During installation, our technicians work hands-on alongside Weigang experts. We also provide ongoing training, spare parts access and troubleshooting guidance. It’s a full-service partnership.’
Jacques highlights the broader vision: ‘This installation is a benchmark. It’s about showing the market that world-class flexo presses from the East can operate successfully in South Africa, delivering speed, precision and sustainability. Weigang is capable, reliable and commercially viable – and PLP Labels is proof.’
Looking ahead
For PLP Labels, the engineering precision, robust performance and cost-saving capabilities of the ZJR-350G are poised to challenge European dominance in the narrow-web sector.
The company is already planning to transform part of the factory into a clean-room environment with air conditioning and a viewing area for customer trials. Longer term, the aim is to create a fully integrated ‘Weigang Shop’ where all production is powered by Weigang Technology.
‘Every part of this installation was planned,’ Emil concludes. ‘Kamboo made it seamless. We’re ready to run at full speed.’
