Empowering Diversification in Corrugated Sign, Display and Packaging Operations

David Preskett, VP EMEA and APAC at Kongsberg PCS highlights how digital finishing empowers diversification into corrugated signage and packaging. Addressing pressures like rising costs and sustainability, the company provides automated, modular cutting solutions like the Kongsberg Ultimate. Through strategic partnerships and technical innovation, Kongsberg helps converters optimise workflows and future-proof their investments for long-term profitability.

The packaging industry is rapidly evolving and poised for growth, bolstered by increasing consumer demand for longer-lasting, more sustainable substrates and by the versatility and scalability of modern large-format digital printers. For many businesses, this presents a clear opportunity to diversify into corrugated signage, display and packaging applications.

However, working with corrugated materials presents unique challenges that require specialised cutting and finishing solutions. The result is an increase in converters turning to advanced digital cutting and finishing solutions, according to a recent report by Smithers to support their shift.

In my role at Kongsberg PCS, speaking with customers worldwide, I see firsthand the different pressures businesses find themselves under – from rising costs and shorter production runs, to higher expectations around quality and sustainability. Companies expanding into this space, therefore, must ensure they are investing for the long-term – in both equipment and production partners – to maintain efficiency, quality and profitability.

Although investing in flexible equipment is important, for most businesses, choosing the right digital cutting partner is just as critical. That’s why this is a key pillar for Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (PCS). Beyond supplying equipment capable of handling a wide range of materials and jobs, we work closely with customers to optimise production workflows by implementing automation where it adds value for them, adapt to changing market demands, expand their application mix and future-proof their investment with modular, upgradeable technology.

One example of this collaborative approach at work is with our customer, Cartabox, a corrugated specialist based in Italy. For many years, the company relied on digital cutting technologies, including a Kongsberg XL24, to support product development and customer service. As market demand shifted towards shorter runs and more sustainable packaging solutions, they recognised the need to strengthen production capabilities to ensure continued flexibility and quality.

Through a consultative approach, we worked with Cartabox to understand more about their customers, applications and growth aspirations, to create a scalable long-term growth plan.

Through this approach, it became clear that their key production challenges were:

• The growing shift to smaller production runs, which meant they needed to upgrade their technology to improve efficiencies.
• The need to respond to evolving market demands required the ability to process new materials and develop sustainable packaging solutions.

To support those challenges, Cartabox chose to invest in a Kongsberg Ultimate with an automated Feeder & Stacker.

The ultra-productive digital table, which can reach speeds of 165 m/min, enabled the business to reduce manual handling, increase production capability and maintain consistent output across both short and longer runs. The Ultimate also allowed Cartabox to process a wider range of materials from microflute to honeycomb board, enabling them to respond to growing demand for sustainable, low-impact packaging solutions.

By combining technical innovation with genuine partnership, Kongsberg PCS enables packaging, sign and graphics producers, like Cartabox, to not only meet today’s operational challenges but to confidently grow, diversify and strengthen their competitive position.

At this year’s FESPA Global Print Expo on stand 3-C111, we have created an environment dedicated to bringing these collaborations to life. Alongside technologies like the Kongsberg Ultimate and flagship Kongsberg C- and X-series, our experts will be on hand to help visitors overcome unique challenges faced by their operations, whether for corrugated, sign or display applications. And if you are a corrugated producer interested in exploring the key trends shaping the future of the global corrugated industry, you can also join me at The Corrugated Conference on 20 May at 14:30.