The Next Generation
Speed, accuracy, tighter registration, and increased automation are just a few benefits of servo presses.
January 2007 by Chris Mc Loone
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Relationships are critical in any business. Relationship building takes time, but the benefits of such investments pay huge dividends over time. These relationships are with your vendors, your customers, your suppliers, and your employees. Also critical for a successful mix is the best equipment for your operation. Valdese Packaging and Label’s (Valdese, NC) business is built on this philosophy. “Our operating philosophy has been to surround [ourselves] with the best employees and equipment on the market, and develop long-term partnerships with [our] accounts,” says Darren Little, president. On the equipment side, Valdese recently purchased its first servo-driven press, using technology that Little says represents the next generation in narrow web flexo.
Commercial origins
In business since 1993, Valdese Packaging and Label (VPL) was initially a printer of letterheads and business cards. The initial operation included two employees and a Mark Andy three-color 830 CI press. “We both came from a long history in printing and had many contacts in the textile industry,” says Little. Their knowledge of the printing industry helped them create a business plan, which included additional equipment and employees. “Before long, VPL developed into a printing company with both flexo and offset capabilities,” he says. “This changed our goals to become one of the premier custom packaging printers in the industry.”
Today, VPL is a completely vertical company with start-to-finish offset and flexo capacity, according to Little. The manufacturing facility includes a prepress/design department (design, proofing, film, platemaking), offset and flexo presses, numerous color matching systems, and full bindery department (diecutting, guillotine, folder/gluers, and slitter/rewinders).
Putting their textile contacts to use, Little states that the company’s key market has been the textile soft-line industry, mainly socks and hosiery. VPL has used its business model to penetrate the hard-line textile industry as well (i.e. chemical, food and beverage, cosmetic, and commercial).
VPL hasn’t been immune to competition from overseas companies and has had a few hurdles to contend with during the last few years, namely the influx of import goods. That doesn’t mean the company’s growth stymied. “To help counterbalance the overseas business, VPL has set up a very successful international program [offering] fast response time, competitive pricing, and air shipment to anywhere in the world within five to seven business days,” says Little. “We consistently are able to ship packaging anywhere in the world faster and more economically than the international printers/brokers, all while the U.S. accounts have the comfort of using a domestic printer that offers the highest quality packaging without sacrificing the accountability and communication.” This international business currently accounts for ten percent of VPL’s total business.
Commercial origins
In business since 1993, Valdese Packaging and Label (VPL) was initially a printer of letterheads and business cards. The initial operation included two employees and a Mark Andy three-color 830 CI press. “We both came from a long history in printing and had many contacts in the textile industry,” says Little. Their knowledge of the printing industry helped them create a business plan, which included additional equipment and employees. “Before long, VPL developed into a printing company with both flexo and offset capabilities,” he says. “This changed our goals to become one of the premier custom packaging printers in the industry.”
Today, VPL is a completely vertical company with start-to-finish offset and flexo capacity, according to Little. The manufacturing facility includes a prepress/design department (design, proofing, film, platemaking), offset and flexo presses, numerous color matching systems, and full bindery department (diecutting, guillotine, folder/gluers, and slitter/rewinders).
Putting their textile contacts to use, Little states that the company’s key market has been the textile soft-line industry, mainly socks and hosiery. VPL has used its business model to penetrate the hard-line textile industry as well (i.e. chemical, food and beverage, cosmetic, and commercial).
VPL hasn’t been immune to competition from overseas companies and has had a few hurdles to contend with during the last few years, namely the influx of import goods. That doesn’t mean the company’s growth stymied. “To help counterbalance the overseas business, VPL has set up a very successful international program [offering] fast response time, competitive pricing, and air shipment to anywhere in the world within five to seven business days,” says Little. “We consistently are able to ship packaging anywhere in the world faster and more economically than the international printers/brokers, all while the U.S. accounts have the comfort of using a domestic printer that offers the highest quality packaging without sacrificing the accountability and communication.” This international business currently accounts for ten percent of VPL’s total business.
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