Joubert commented, ‘Short-run envelopes were always the biggest problem for
us. If a customer ordered less than 1000 envelopes it was difficult for our print
suppliers to easily produce those volumes. The other aspect was personalisation.
If we needed personalisation, it generally had to be done on a label printer and
the labels were then applied by hand. When we looked at the Meteor we felt that
it would offer us the ability to do the short-run envelopes and the personalisation.
‘We decided to install it on a trial basis and the machine soon proved its
capabilities. We did have a few early problems, but these were mainly
personnel related rather than to do with the machine. It was not until we
looked more closely at our staff that we found the perfect fit. We have now
taken one of our envelope makers and put him onto running this machine.
Once we did that, it was like a hand going into a glove and the results
have been exceptional.’
Using the Meteor press, Merpak can now produce envelopes in any length of
run, right from a sample for a client, through to full production runs of many
thousands. The advantage is that standard envelopes can be manufactured and
printed as required to meet the needs of a range of clients. The Meteor can
handle different envelope sizes including DL, C5, C4 and various imperial sizes.
Joubert added, ‘We have handled runs of different lengths and as things stand
we are still trying to work out the financial viability factor for the machine. We do
not want to be using a specialist machine like this for long runs if it is not really
cost effective, but for now we are still finding our feet. An example of this is
the fact that we soon realised that we had to house the machine in an
environmentally-controlled room.’
The Meteor digital press offers Merpak the ability to handle short-run work
and at the same time meet the fast turnaround needs of clients with
rush requirements.
Eric Duggan, managing director of Ferrostaal Southern Africa commented, ‘This
is an important installation for us. The majority of companies which have shown
an interest in the Meteor press are commercial printers looking for an additional
form of production for their companies. Merpak is not your typical customer for
this type of machine, but the fact that it has selected the Meteor means that
the company has faith in its capabilities.’
Joubert added, ‘Possibly the most impressive element of the Meteor, apart
from the fact that it has the ability to feed envelopes, is the fact that it looks,
feels and works like a press. It is rigidly constructed and has an industrial
look and feel. This fills us with a sense of security that it can handle our
production requirements.’
The Meteor complements the production demands placed on it due to the fact
that the majority of envelope orders have a turnaround time of less than a week.
In recent years Merpak has had to adjust its method of operation to compensate
for ever-shortening order times. One aspect of this was the use of an ERP
system designed to manage production schedules.
Joubert commented, ‘A few years ago we installed a locally-designed ERP
system which can track each envelope back to a batch, that batch to a production
run and from there back to a specific reel of paper from the mill. This gives us full
accountability right back to the source in the case of an issue. We have recently
upgraded the system and the new addition gives us a graphic view of the entire
factory and each production stage including machine loadings. What this means
is that we no longer have to spend many hours a week in production meetings, it
is available for everyone to see. The Meteor fits in perfectly with that system and
even complements it because we can schedule production on the Meteor to tie
in with the rest of our production.’
Using the MGI Meteor DP8700 digital press, alongside its other technology,
Merpak has proven that envelopes are not an antiquated product but very
much a part of the modern communications process. Add to this their
environmental-friendliness and they could well be the ideal solution. With
three to four million envelopes produced per day, Merpak is doing its part
to promote the environmentally-friendliness of envelopes.
Deon Joubert, managing director of Merpak with the Meteor DP8700 digital press.
Vol 4 Issue 3 • ENVELOPES OUT-DATED OR HIGH-TECH?
12
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The GAPP
magazine
www.
thegapp
.co.za
