Graforsa gears up for expansion with second BOBST inline flexo press

Founded in 1978, Graforsa is a €5 million turnover business, located in the town of Arteixo, in northwestern Spain. The company produces self-adhesive labels for major brands in the fresh and frozen food sectors, and in logistics.

With the rising demands for faster turnaround, lower costs, repeatable high quality and less waste, Graforsa recognized the need to expand its printing capabilities. Having witnessed the excellent results achieved with its first BOBST press over the past two years, CEO Carlos Leis was confident in his decision to purchase a second machine from the Swiss manufacturer. The cost-effective and modular VISION M1 – with its automation features, short web path and high speed – proved once again to be the ideal solution.

“We wanted to continue our collaboration with BOBST because of the excellent performance, operational efficiency and high quality of the machinery, complemented by the great support we have received,” explained Mr Leis. “The VISION M1 is a highly agile and flexible option that allows us to be very competitive as we respond to the varied needs of our customers, including meeting their demands for greater sustainability.”

Graforsa’s 3,000 sqm production facility now houses the two BOBST inline flexo presses (both 370 mm wide and configured to print in eight colors) along with a suite of finishing equipment. Operating two shifts, the majority of label jobs are produced for customers in northwest and central Spain, with 5% exported to neighboring Portugal. A dedicated team of 25 employees is spread across five departments: sales, administration, pre-press, production, and quality control.

With the VISION M1 model, Graforsa benefits from an optimized Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for producing self-adhesive and coupon labels as well as other simple applications. Both presses utilize UV LED curing which saves on energy costs, allows for more press uptime and ensures consistent curing. They have also been equipped with Print Tutor Eco camera which supports fully automatic register setup and control to minimize waste and downtime.

The VISION M1 in the BOBST Competence Center in Florence, Italy.

“We have seen significant reductions in both setup and production times, as well as improvements in productivity and margins with the BOBST VISION M1. This means we can respond to customer demands more efficiently and enter more competitive markets going forward,” commented Production Manager Juan Castiñeiras. “This additional BOBST investment aligns closely with our broader business goals which are to expand our commercial network by 30% and accelerate production by 25% over the next two years.”

The innovative automation features on the VISION M1 presses have helped Graforsa’s operators adapt easily to the new technology and fully realize its potential. In addition to purchasing an advanced training package to fully maximize productivity, the company has invested in remote maintenance capability to minimize unplanned downtime. These key decisions will help set it apart from the competition in a fast-paced market where state-of-the-art technology and forward-thinking decision-making are critical to success.

The second VISION M1 press, as well as the first machine installed in 2022, were supplied through FEIMAR, BOBST’s distributor in Spain. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Graforsa, a visionary company that is strengthening its position in the label sector through strategic investment in BOBST technology,” commented Jaume Martinez Gamarra, Regional Sales Agent. “FEIMAR has provided key support and advice throughout the entire process, as Graforsa transitioned into a BOBST printing house, and we look forward to many more years of cooperation with the team.”

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