‘We’re not talking solely about product but about our approach to internal and external business as a whole, in conjunction with market understanding and forethought,’ Amanda explains.
For the last few years, Paragon has pioneered ways to achieve cost reductions and to pass these savings on to customers without affecting product quality, service and ongoing product development. ‘This path has led us to the pinnacle where we can supply the world market, offering a complete service package that delivers savings at every level,’ Amanda maintains.
Indeed, it’s this ‘correct formula’ concept that has paved the way to the official opening of Paragon Inks South Africa – which underlines Paragon Inks’ commitment to the African market and to global brand owners operating on this continent. The recently registered South African company offers a facility for local supply, payment and service, and mirrors Paragon Inks’ Australian and US operations. ‘This is just another part of the equation in meeting global demand,’ comments Amanda.
What’s the formula?
So, what is this magic formula to which Amanda alludes? And why does she describe Paragon Inks as ‘the alternative choice for inks and coatings’?
For answers, we backtrack 28 years to Paragon Inks’ creation as a privately-owned UV ink manufacturing company, servicing the UK’s narrow web letterpress market.
Since those early years, Paragon Inks has developed strategically, listening and reacting to industry’s needs, to become the global brand it is today. Although it’s still privately owned and still manufactures from one site, the company now produces over 60% of its UV inks and coatings for the global unsupported web-printing market.
The graph (above) shows Paragon’s growth in various narrow-web sectors over this 28-year period.
This business diversification was not created by chance – it was planned and executed by working with key suppliers, OEMs, printers and brand owners, who form a crucial forum for the ever-changing market.
As Paragon Inks’ home and global markets changed, affirmation was given that their internal changes to business, processes and culture was the right starting equation for the final formula.
Concentrating on what printers want, Paragon went on to create a formula to become the alternative global choice for the supply of inks and coatings. This formula includes:
• A global guarantee of product quality (it does what it says on the tin)
• One world product consistency
• Product flexibility to application (from self-adhesive to wraparound labels)
• Product compliance to ever-changing global legislation
• On-site service and support
• Training and education both on and off site at the Paragon academy
• Cost and waste minimisation programmes
• Strategic business development forums with printers and their customers
• Innovation development with OEMs and co-suppliers
Legislation is now critical to any UV printing business to ensure fit-for-purpose products made from suitable materials.
‘Our approach is to provide clear black and white legislative information to printers and brand owners – not a grey smokescreen,’ Amanda says. ‘This pragmatic approach gives printers and their customers a solid foundation to work from,’ she insists.
Product range
Paragon Inks offers a full range of UV flexo inks and coatings to meet all the one-world applications and legislation for the web printing industry:
• The LM series, a core range of inks and coatings meeting the global migration limit of 60ppm, suitable for supported and unsupported applications from self-adhesive labels to basic shrink sleeves
• The AL series, a bespoke range of inks for advanced level shrink sleeve applications across a multitude of substrates
• The ULM series, a certified range of inks and coatings that comply with EuPIA migration limits of 10ppb suitable for supported and unsupported applications
• Dedicated products such as opaque whites and metallics for self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, lidding, wraparound labels and flexible packaging
Bespoke designed clear coats and adhesives are also offered to meet brand owner requirements.
All inks and coatings are formulated, produced and individually tested at Paragon Inks’ one-world manufacturing site. Looking at the future, Paragon Inks is again increasing its staff complement in all key departments, a commitment that will allow the winning formula to touch new applications and print markets in the years ahead.
‘The Paragon formula is not a static solution; it’s in a constant state of flux,’ Amanda remarks. ‘It’s continually changing to meet the one-world market’s current and future demands. It’s a complete package for printers and brand owners and is a combination of equations including product, service and support, training, understanding and awareness, integrity, consistency and innovation.’
In Amanda’s view, the Paragon Inks brand identity is fundamental to growth and long-term development.
‘Good brand identity creates confidence and trust, strengthening the supplier/customer relationship; and this relationship is the key to a successful win-win formula,’ she sums up.
Ed’s note: For more information, email Amanda.jones@paragoninks.co.uk or info@paragoninks.co.uk or visit www.paragoninks.co.uk
