McCracken Bag & Label Gains Quality, Time-savings and Increased Throughput:
Fujifilm Flenex FW Water-Wash Plate System from APR
Overview
McCracken Bag & Label has been a family-owned and operated company in Chicago for three generations. And in that time, it has navigated through many challenging economic climates. Today, over 100 years later, McCracken Bag and Label Co. has the scale, technology and experience to compete in a rapidly changing printing landscape.
One way they do this is through focusing on specific markets to provide custom solutions that deliver quality and cost efficiencies. These include Food & Beverage, Logistics & Industrial, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Custom & Stock Pharmacy Forms, and Prescription Bags McCracken is also committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers through the implementation of new technologies. Their corporate objectives include a clear understanding of the company’s responsibility to protect the ecology of our planet. They’ve introduced an innovative “Green Smart” program which focuses on reducing negative environmental impacts caused by their business operations.
Challenge
With this sustainable focus as a driving force, McCracken has been using water-washable plates since 1997. The technology has improved since they first started using water wash plates and the time had come to upgrade and switch to a new product.
All Printing Resources (APR) had installed an Esko CDI at McCracken in 2019. This was the first step in upgrading their equipment but it was too big of an undertaking at that time to change the plate system. However, they wanted plates that were longer-lasting and more durable than what they were currently using. So, by mid-2020, they were ready to look at a new water-wash system.
“Installing a new plate system is not as daunting as you may think. APR helped make the process very simple and painless.”
Luke Vassiliades
VP, Administration & Finance McCracken Bag & Label
According to Luke Vassiliades, VP, Administration & Finance, “We turned to APR because we had a good history with the company from the successful installation of the CDI. We had trialed the FujiFilm plates and knew they would work.”
Solution
Mike Polizzi, McCracken General Manager, visited the APR Technical Center and learned firsthand everything that APR could do for McCracken.
APR recommended a Fujifilm Flenex FW Water-wash plate system as its filtration system and polymer suspension are top quality. According to Cayleigh Anderson, APR Director of Business Development, “We have a large variety of plate-making technologies available through APR, and pride ourselves in matching our customer requirements to the best possible plate system and then providing the training so that they are quickly up and running.”
Ultimately, APR installed the new system at McCracken in November 2020. The installation went very smoothly. According to Vassiliades, “APR’s tech team was very helpful and took the time to explain everything to our plate-making operator. We appreciated the ‘security blanket’ that APR could back us up and make plates while the installation was going on. However, since the process was so smooth and fast - we were able to keep up with production.”
He adds, “Installing a new plate system is not as daunting as you may think. APR helped make the process very simple and painless.”
Outcome
The greatest benefit that McCracken has experienced with their Fujifilm Water-Wash Plates is that they are easier to handle for the plate maker. The plates are more tolerant and less fragile. Cleanup is also easier as the process is not as gummy. Vassiliades notes, “The Fuji water wash system is much easier to use and more ergonomic for our operator. She no longer has to reach to place the plate in the system. The plates seem to last longer and there is no residue build-up like we experienced with our last plate material.”
Lastly, McCracken was pleased that they didn’t have to greatly modify any processes. They were able to shorten their plate making time and remove their old extra exposure unit because Fuji has exposure built into the processor. This allowed for more space in their plate room.
Vassiliades concludes, “We’re thrilled with the durability of our new sustainable Fujifilm plates. Thanks to APR, we’re saving time and increasing our plate throughput.”