Great celebration in Prague: Huhtamaki inaugurates the first OMET Varyflex V4 Offset

Less than one hour. This is the time span needed to reproduce a new image on film, from the picture to the final printed result, thanks to OMET Varyflex V4 Offset with sleeve technology. The last July 11, in Prague, OMET innovation excelled once again during the inauguration for the start-up of the new machine installed at Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging Czech (former Fiomo, a.s.).

This is the first OMET Varyflex V4 Offset installed worldwide: a brand new machine specialized in high-quality flexible packaging printing. This press features offset printing technology combined with in-line flexo units: a hybrid solution that marks a turning point in quality, flexibility and costs saving. It is the first installation of its kind in the entire Huhtamaki group, fully committed to print on thin unsupported films for the food sector.

Martin Němec, General Manager of Huhtamaki comments: “The printing quality, the speed and the simplicity of use of the OMET V4 offset are really amazing. The market of flexible packaging has been requiring more often shorter runs, too expensive for rotogravure printers. For this reason, we decided to invest in offset printing and specifically in OMET technology, which will allow us to widen our offer by improving quality and productive capacity. It was definitely the right choice: a few customers have already increased the number of orders thanks to the new asset”.

In the picture, the moment of the official celebration of the first V4 offset installation.

Claudio Piredda, OMET Area Manager explains: “OMET V4 Offset matches the quality of rotogravure printing, making the distinction impossible. Yet, Rotogravure has higher set-up time and equipment costs compared to offset technology, which enables the production of the printing plates in few minutes with insignificant costs and extremely short make-ready time. There are no manufacturers in the world able to make machines like this: an extremely versatile and efficient wide-web press that combines offset and flexo technology with the maximum speed of 400 m/min”.

OMET Varyflex V4 Offset.

The main advantages were shown during the inauguration: less than 1 hour to transform a picture taken at the beginning of the event into a customized subject printed on film. This is an impossible task for rotogravure presses and for all the machines currently used by the customer.

Antonio Bartesaghi, OMET CEO, was in Prague at the inauguration with Mr. Piredda: “It was a great pleasure and an honor to be invited to this special event. Choosing this kind of technology was a huge investment for Huhtamaki: it represents a new way of working and the possibility to satisfy the latest requests raised by the market of flexible packaging, improving the quality of the offer and the service towards the clients. The organization of this wonderful event demonstrates their interest in building a fruitful collaboration with OMET and the inauguration of the V4 offset is just the first step”.

Huhtamaki is a global specialist in packaging for food and drink, with a network of 76 manufacturing units, additional 24 sales only offices in altogether 34 countries and approximately 17,300 employees. In 2016, their net sales totaled EUR 2.9 billion. The Group has its head office in Espoo, Finland and the parent company Huhtamäki Oyj is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. In 2016 Huhtamaki has completed the acquisition of FIOMO, a.s., a manufacturer of flexible packaging foils and labels in the Czech Republic. With the acquisition, Huhtamaki expands its flexible packaging manufacturing footprint in Europe and now is able to offer agile high quality offset printing capabilities for smaller production runs for its customers.

Mr. Bartesaghi check with satisfaction the quality of printed samples.