Cepac, the UK’s leading independent corrugated packaging producer, has enhanced its digital print capacity after investing a significant seven-figure sum in new technology.

Cepac, recently announced as Nestlé Supplier of the Year, has installed a new HP Scitex 17000 Corrugated Press in its Doncaster plant in a move which managing director Rod Ainslie describes as “transformational not only for corrugated graphics but also response times”.

He said: “‘Speed to market’ is of paramount importance today. Outstanding graphics are produced to our customers express requirements and are available on demand, without the requirement for stock.

“The advent of digital technologies has of course changed many industries, but in the corrugated industry this is still an emerging technology and one that will revolutionise our offering.

“Our investment in this latest HP unit will lead the market in meeting the growing requirement for fast, on demand decorative packaging and point of sale applications. Cepac’s motivation is to fulfil customers’ increasing requirement for a new service model which combines outstanding graphics, stunning print and much faster response times.   

“Cepac was founded at the turn of the millennium to set new standards, and breaking ground by pioneering new technologies is in our DNA. We introduced Performance Packaging which has been emulated across the industry and we’re determined to keep investing in technology which has the potential to transform the corrugated industry and, importantly, commit to the marketing and organisational infrastructure which will provide full support for our customers. 

“This latest investment is all about enabling our customers to respond with ‘speed to market,’ providing truly outstanding graphics without the requirement for reliance upon stock.

“The new HP press is perfect for all sectors which require fast and flexible response and provides a superb added value service for all customers, producing small lines, short deliveries and facilitating greater flexibility around promotions. 

“We believe the future involves producing packaging which is available on demand without the traditional compromises, and that means improved service levels, short supply chains and even faster turnaround times. 

“Corrugated packaging has changed a lot since we launched and we’ve adapted and led from the front in our approach to technology and innovation. We’re now at another key stage in the evolution of Cepac and are once again investing to stay ahead of the curve in the corrugated sector.”

Simon Goldsack, EMEA Marketing Manager – Corrugated Solutions, HP Graphics Solutions Business, HP Inc, said:

"We are very excited that when Cepac decided to take their digital productivity to a new level they turned to HP as their partner of choice.

“The HP Scitex 17000 Corrugated Press complements Cepac’s existing equipment and will confidently allow them to continue their pioneering growth into print and increase their business opportunities by transforming the corrugated packaging supply chain to achieve the holy grail of 'speed to market’”.

Cepac was founded over 16 years ago and currently operates four plants in the UK.

Regarded as one of the industry’s foremost corrugated manufacturers with a track record of pioneering innovation, Cepac was last month recognised by Nestlé UK as its Supplier of Year after producing over one hundred million corrugated packs in the past three years without a single non-conformance.