They’ve combined their own, independent companies, Pro-Slit and Consuflex, to offer a unified service and product offering to the southern African market.
Established in 2003, and headed by Anthony, Pro-Slit sells a comprehensive range of flexible films, paper, label stocks, foils, laminates, foam, release paper and niche packaging products and offers a complete paper converting, slitting and rewinding service.
‘When Pro-Slit launched, the focus was on producing cash register till rolls and offering a slitting service to local businesses. Over time, the model has changed and today we’re focused on supplying and converting a wide range of film and paper labelstock and liners ranging in thickness from 10µm to 350µm and 35g/m2 to 400g/m2 respectively, up to 2 350mm wide,’ comments Anthony. ‘Operating five film slitters and one dedicated paper slitter, we offer an expert slitting service that caters for both large and small enterprises,’ he adds. ‘By maintaining strict quality assurance systems we provide peace of mind that every material we deliver meets its required application specification. Ultimately, we’re building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect and continually working on the principles of quality, reliability and service delivery.’
Besides supplying and slitting various label substrates, Anthony utilises his vast experience by offering technical support in the development of new packaging applications and specialised materials.
Perfectly aligned
In any printing enterprise, there’s a constant need for printing consumables such as prepress chemicals, plates, tooling and print finishing materials.
Finding the right supply partner is sometimes a matter of trial and error and printers often have to deal with numerous suppliers to get the most reliable tools.
While working for one of South Africa’s leading self-adhesive labelstock suppliers, Quinten Rodway spotted an opportunity to utilise his expertise and provide personalised application advice along with leading-edge internationally-renowned printing components.
In January 2011, he realised this goal by launching Consuflex, and began to build a name for himself in the local market. By the middle of last year, he began consulting for Pro-Slit, selling its entire product range and slitting services alongside his printing consumables. At the beginning of 2013, business was going so well that the decision was taken to join forces and promote the two businesses as a united enterprise.
‘To create an alliance with Pro-Slit is a “no-brainer”,’ states Quinten. ‘We have a similar customer base and business objectives. Not only do we offer some of the best materials and equipment, our service is tailored to meet the varied needs of the market, without the pressure of huge minimum orders or long lead times.’
Currently, Consuflex supplies various flexographic and gravure consumables such as Acpo self-wound lamination tapes, cushion mounting tape, BOPP and PET films, plate washers, labelstock, Suron and Lartec flexible dies and tooling, UV-flexo varnishes and adhesives and AD and Sureprint doctor blades.
Three dedicated delivery vehicles operate in KwaZulu-Natal and surrounding areas, while national and international deliveries are handled by contracted logistics agents.
‘Besides our current portfolio, we’ve recently been appointed the southern African agent for Multitec and its Ecoflex and Ecoflex VSI combination printing presses,’ remarks Quinten. ‘Designed for printing labels, tags, flexible packaging and cartons, the modular Ecoflex is built with full dual side frames so it has a sturdy construction. The anilox rolls on both machine models are easy to change, even after a print job is set up, and the closed-loop tension system delivers exact and repeatable control at a precise tension level,’ he adds. ‘Each machine is available in a 330mm or 450mm web width, making it ideal for the African printing market.’
Since last year, the Pro-Slit and Consuflex alliance has gone from strength to strength, with Anthony and Quinten receiving much support from blue chip label companies such as Uniprint, Astrapak, Nampak, Afripack and Ferroprint, as well as a host of fast-growing small and medium enterprises.
‘Listening to what the market wants and delivering the best products and service to suit market needs is our ultimate objective,’ remarks Quinten. ‘There’s no room for complacency in our industry and we’ll continue to source the best labelstock materials and printing consumables that will have a positive impact on our customers’ operations.’
Multitec’s Ecoflex printing equipment is supplied exclusively in South Africa by Consuflex.
Pro-Slit offers various films and papers, plus a slitting service that caters for both large and small enterprises.
