Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H), a specialist in machinery for manufacturing flexible packaging, drew a very positive conclusion from drupa 2016. Several thousand attendees visited W&H and subsidiary GARANT at the show; approx. 800 visitors travelled to the in-house EXPO at company headquarters in Lengerich, and order intake reached into the high eight figure range. “At drupa, our fingers were firmly on the pulse with our slogan ‘PACKAGING 4.0’. We used our new presses, the MIRAFLEX II C and the DYNASTAR, as a platform to demonstrate how intelligent machines, integrated processes and intuitive handling are already increasing the efficiency of traditional flexographic and gravure printing,” explains Dr. Jürgen Vutz, Chairman of the Board at W&H.

The show was a success for W&H right from the start: both the new MIRAFLEX II C flexographic press and the DYNASTAR gravure printing machine were sold before drupa opened. The first MIRAFLEX II C will go to Admiral Packaging in the USA and the first DYNASTAR will be delivered to Constantia Flexibles in Spain. “Both machines received positive feedback from our customers. The DYNASTAR makes the traditional gravure printing process more cost effective, especially for smaller jobs – we saw a lot of interest in that, particularly from manufacturers for brand products”, explains Vutz.

Customers were also impressed by the wealth of innovations integrated into the new MIRAFLEX II C. From better ergonomics with a new design to the new TURBOCLEAN ADVANCED E inking unit and washup system to the fully integrated VISION assistance system, there was plenty for customers to get excited about. “At drupa, our customers look for solutions that will increase their productivity and efficiency while still meeting their quality and sustainability requirements. And those are exactly the areas we focus on. The high volume of visitors is testament to the interest in our technological developments and the number of orders underscores the quality,” says Peter Steinbeck, Managing Director of W&H. He continues, “At drupa, the focus is on printing presses. However, there was substantial interest in our entire portfolio of products, everything from extrusion to converting.”

Drupa also proved to be a good show for GARANT, the paper bag machine specialist. “There was a lot of interest in the format changing system in the TRIUMPH 2-T8, our new, ultra-modern block bottom bag machine. Format changes can be completed within 30 minutes, leaving behind the time consuming changes of the past,” says GARANT director, Dieter Schallenberg. The demo TRIUMPH 2-T8 in the booth was sold at the show.

At the in-house EXPO in Lengerich, W&H welcomed over 800 visitors over the course of four days. There, visitors could see press demonstrations close-up, learn more about the company’s products and see the facilities. “Package printing is a growing market segment and one that is of great interest to many drupa attendees. We have been working in the field for almost 150 years, during which time we’ve played a key role in the technological innovations surrounding flexible packaging. We are proud that we have once again been able to use our innovations to prove our status as a market and technology leader at drupa 2016, and that we have continued to impress our customers,” summarizes Vutz.