BAKERS has announced it completed two major deals at drupa that will expand both its BakPac flexible packaging and labels divisions.
The deals combined represent a near £2.25 million investment for the Brentwood-based label and packaging manufacturer.
MD Steve Baker’s initial plan was merely to visit drupa with sons Harry and Tom to get exposure to the print industry and the new technologies within. A change of mindset the day before flying to Germany meant they arrived in Dusseldorf with a mission.
Both Harry and Tom have been involved in the family business for a few years and are described as the future succession of the company. That future is said to look very positive, particularly in digitally printed flexible packaging. Having launched BakPac in 2020, with HP’s Indigo 20,000 press the firm upgraded to the Indigo 200k in January.
Steve Baker said, “We have been seriously impressed with the performance and productivity levels of the 200k that we installed in January this year. This has enabled us to go for and win larger contracts with confidence which is excellent news for our business. We are confident this growth will continue and to ensure we are able to maintain an excellent, fast service the second 200k press was an easy choice to make. The way the HP team was able to react at such short notice to put this deal together was very impressive and I look forward to more collaboration with the guys in the future.”
HP’s Clare Revell added, “I’m thrilled that we have agreed the sale of a second Indigo 200k flexible packaging press to Steve Baker and the team at Baker Labels, at drupa only six months after the installation of the first one. We couldn’t be happier to be associated with such a dynamic, successful, forward-thinking company. Congratulations to Steve and the team.”
The logistics of an installation date are yet to be agreed, but with the expansion of the BakPac production floor to a second facility, there is room ready and waiting.
The Baker Boys then moved on to the Durst Group stand where Tom Baker negotiated on an inkjet press he had recently been coveting. The Durst TAU 340 RSC will be Baker Labels’ first investment with the Italian-based manufacturer.
Tom Baker said, “This press will take our inkjet quality to a new level. The team will be excited to get their hands on this one.”
Simon Cosh from Durst Group commented, “I’m absolutely delighted that Bakers have placed their faith and invested in the Durst Tau RSC. It’s the first RSC with LED and the new Hawk Ai scanning system in the UK so the height of inkjet technology. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that pushes the boundaries and capabilities of inkjet for labels and packaging.”
The current plan is to see the Durst press installed in Baker Labels within the next three months.
