Installations News
Ingersoll ups production with Iberica Optima 106K die-cutter

As Ingersoll Paper Box Co. Ltd. nears its century mark in the folding carton business, the 97-year-old Canadian firm continues to invest in new technology. A few years ago, the firm increased its print output with the addition of a Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 seven-colour 41-inch fully-automated printing press, described as the first of its kind in North America.

Fast-forward to today and Ingersoll has opted for another Koenig & Bauer model for its post-press department — a new high-speed Koenig & Bauer-Iberica Optima 106K die-cutter which went operational in January.

“When we installed the Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 41-inch seven color press, it gave us added capabilities, faster production speeds, and broadened our customer base,” says IPB president Sarah Skinner. “We produce billions of custom boxes of packaging for customers in such industries as pharmaceutical, consumer goods and food packaging — all with a commitment to quality control and continuous improvement. We are always seeking to expand our capital investments in newer and better equipment to ensure that we maintain our reputation as a trusted supplier of paperboard packaging. Our newest addition – the Optima 106K flatbed die cutter – continues to support that mandate.”

The firm explains as its sales and productivity continued to gain and broaden especially with the Rapida 106 press, there was a bottleneck in the post-press department. By adding the Optima 106K, Ingersoll says it will be able to maintain customer satisfaction for faster productivity and efficiency.

Skinner says she chose the Optima 106K flatbed die-cutter because of its quick turnaround, fast speed, user friendliness and blanking capability. Although the firm has only had the Optima 106K in operation for a few months at its 85,000-square-foot facility, she has found that production in that department has increased exponentially and feels that it will continue to be boosted even further.

“The new Optima 106K is the perfect model for us due to its blanking capability,” says Skinner. “It provides high quality, high productivity, easy handling, and fast preparation. This newest generation of Koenig & Bauer-Iberica blankers is equipped with new tooling technology to do sheeting in a fast and easy method.”

Sarah Skinner, a fourth-generation leader of the firm, looks forward to celebrating the company’s upcoming 100th year mark. “Our 75 employees embrace our customer-centric focus,” she says. “They are proud to walk down a store aisle and see the many packages that they’ve produced. Our quality products can be found in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, nutraceutical, consumer, food, bakery and technology markets, shipping nationally and internationally.”

Established in 1922 by Robert Skinner, the family-owned business is headquartered in Ingersoll, Ont., with 85,000 square feet of manufacturing space including a 38,000 square feet of warehousing space. The firm produces folding cartons from standard designs to custom design solutions, from computer-aided design (CAD) to printing, die cutting, embossing, and folding/gluing.