GEORGE-BASED labelling converter, Label Leaders, has built its business on a long-term relationship with Mark Andy. Most recently, it has installed its sixth flexo press from the American manufacturer, delivered and commissioned by SArepco, which has been the Mark Andy representative in southern and central Africa for more than three decades.

‘Our philosophy is based on establishing close relationships with all business partners, both customers and suppliers, and Mark Andy has been a strategic partner since our parents first started the company,’ say co-owners Theo Raubenheimer and his sister, Rene Koen. Highlighting this is the fact that all the Mark Andy presses at the George plant have been delivered by SArepco in what Theo describes as a relationship that guarantees good advice to ensure every project is successful.

‘Our values have not changed since we started. We focus on high-quality products and service. Developing close working relationships allows us to make strategic decisions faster, and as a privately-owned company, our flexibility is appreciated by our partners,’ adds Theo.

The same philosophy forms the basis of cooperation with suppliers. Whether it’s a press, substrate or ink, Label Leaders needs the suppliers’ support. This has been especially important recently with the issues caused by the pandemic and supply shortages.

Despite the difficulties, it has been a successful period for the company, which has made further investments, including the Evolution Series E5. The company has also built up a stock of various substrates to ensure customers get their labels on time.

Time for a new press

It was during a visit to Labelexpo 2019 in Brussels that Theo first saw the Evolution Series. ‘It attracted us from the start with its short make-ready time, high speed and simplicity of operation,’ he says. With the likelihood of a second shift looming, which the company wanted to avoid, the decision was made to invest in an E5 and it was installed in August 2021.

The press has eight flexo printing units and the new QCDC die-cutter. ‘As it’s a Mark Andy, we can use the plates, cylinders and dies that we had already, which allows us to optimise costs and streamline the machinery park,’ he explains. ‘The E5 joins other Mark Andy presses at Label Leaders, including a Performance Series P5, a 2200, a Scout and an 830 that has been there since the beginning.’

Wider web, higher capacity

The Evolution E5 brings much-needed additional capacity to Label Leaders and offers shorter delivery times. ‘Labels are special products that will always be needed. To develop new designs with new substrates we needed a press that was fast to make-ready and changeover, and with its wider web width, it’s a very effective tool,’ says Theo.

Label Leaders supplies three main market sectors: retail, dairy and wine, and while each has its own specific requirements, Theo emphasizes that print quality and reliable delivery are common to all. In the case of the wine industry, it’s vital that labels are delivered the same day the wine is bottled to avoid affecting the alcohol level.

With the current global shortage of substrates and more than 500 different labels to manufacture, the company needs to maintain a high stock level in its warehouse to keep customers happy and find optimum production parameters to preserve margins. Longer runs are one solution, even if paper prices have risen fourfold since December 2021. ‘This is where having such a flexible press as the Evolution works well and fits with our business philosophy,’ he adds.

Long-term business partnership

Theo sees SArepco as an ongoing stimulus to his company’s business. In addition to delivery, assembly and staff training, SArepco takes care of many future-proofing actions, including annual preventative maintenance and repair. ‘We like the fact that SArepco technicians are always available – it gives us a feeling of security and comfort knowing that our Mark Andy equipment is in good hands,’ he notes.

Paul Bouwer, director of SArepco, adds: ‘We’re delighted that this development is based on Mark Andy technology. The installation of the Evolution E5 confirms the quality of the equipment and underlines the trust in SArepco as Mark Andy’s local dealer.’

Mark Andy’s executive VP, Tom Cavalco, concludes: ‘We’re happy that Label Leaders’ management follows the same principles that we do at Mark Andy. This close working partnership began in the 1980s and we are proud that the Raubenheimer family continues to invest in Mark Andy technology. I’d like to add a special word of thanks to SArepco who have been with us for 35 years and have been fundamental to Label Leaders’ success.’

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