07.10.15
L&NW recently caught up with Meech vice president and general manager Matt Fyffe, who talks about new products, label converting industry partners, and plans for the future.
L&NW: What new products or systems has Meech introduced in the web cleaning sector recently? And which products feature new or improved parts?
Matt Fyffe: Our latest web cleaner is the CyClean, a compact, non-contact system that has been specially designed to remove and extract contamination to below 1 micron. The web cleaner will also fit into small spaces, which allows for flexible positioning and easy installation. It features a powerful blowing airflow that strips the boundary layer and contamination from the web surface, with two vacuum airflows catching all the turbulent air and contamination from within the cleaning head. The system also features four shockless AC ionising bars, which ensure the neutralisation of any static charge present on the web.
A recent enhancement that was developed for the CyClean is the new Air Handling Unit, the AHUv3, which is tailored to the needs of the narrow web industry. The AHU, which improves air flow efficiency and allows easy removal and collection of contaminants, also features an F8 grade washable “labyrinth” filter, which reduces the chances of premature blockage in the airflow system.
L&NW: What companies has Meech began working with in the past six months?
MF: Annually, Meech exports to almost 200 customers, located in over 80 countries, and our global user list has now grown in excess of 7,000 companies. This customer base is split between a number of different industries including plastics, packaging, converting and print.
In late 2014 for instance, an installation of Meech’s 929IPS static control bars took place at the RPC Group, one of Europe's largest suppliers of plastic packaging. The bars were acquired in order to reduce congestion on production lines, where high levels of static were having a serious effect on parison alignment. Other customers include Nilpeter, Mark Andy, Avery Dennison and 3M.
L&NW: How does Meech work with its customers to ensure they are continually satisfied with their installed equipment?
MF: A big part of Meech’s ethos is to understand our customers’ requirements and provide a global service and support. This is done through a worldwide network of distributors that provide local, on the spot solutions at any time of the day. Furthermore, we work closely with both end users and distributors whenever we decide to update our equipment or launch new products. For instance, the design of the CyClean came to fruition after conducting extensive research into the market and recognising customers’ demands.
L&NW: What lies ahead for the company? Plans, expansion, new products?
As one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of static control and web-cleaning systems, we plan to launch new products for both ranges, we are also constantly looking to explore new markets both in our key territories. Over the past 18 months we have been investing heavily in our UK premises and our sales structure to ensure we have the right equipment and personnel to service our clients in the various industries we operate in, and we expect to maintain this commitment for years to come.
L&NW: What new products or systems has Meech introduced in the web cleaning sector recently? And which products feature new or improved parts?
Matt Fyffe: Our latest web cleaner is the CyClean, a compact, non-contact system that has been specially designed to remove and extract contamination to below 1 micron. The web cleaner will also fit into small spaces, which allows for flexible positioning and easy installation. It features a powerful blowing airflow that strips the boundary layer and contamination from the web surface, with two vacuum airflows catching all the turbulent air and contamination from within the cleaning head. The system also features four shockless AC ionising bars, which ensure the neutralisation of any static charge present on the web.
A recent enhancement that was developed for the CyClean is the new Air Handling Unit, the AHUv3, which is tailored to the needs of the narrow web industry. The AHU, which improves air flow efficiency and allows easy removal and collection of contaminants, also features an F8 grade washable “labyrinth” filter, which reduces the chances of premature blockage in the airflow system.
L&NW: What companies has Meech began working with in the past six months?
MF: Annually, Meech exports to almost 200 customers, located in over 80 countries, and our global user list has now grown in excess of 7,000 companies. This customer base is split between a number of different industries including plastics, packaging, converting and print.
In late 2014 for instance, an installation of Meech’s 929IPS static control bars took place at the RPC Group, one of Europe's largest suppliers of plastic packaging. The bars were acquired in order to reduce congestion on production lines, where high levels of static were having a serious effect on parison alignment. Other customers include Nilpeter, Mark Andy, Avery Dennison and 3M.
L&NW: How does Meech work with its customers to ensure they are continually satisfied with their installed equipment?
MF: A big part of Meech’s ethos is to understand our customers’ requirements and provide a global service and support. This is done through a worldwide network of distributors that provide local, on the spot solutions at any time of the day. Furthermore, we work closely with both end users and distributors whenever we decide to update our equipment or launch new products. For instance, the design of the CyClean came to fruition after conducting extensive research into the market and recognising customers’ demands.
L&NW: What lies ahead for the company? Plans, expansion, new products?
As one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of static control and web-cleaning systems, we plan to launch new products for both ranges, we are also constantly looking to explore new markets both in our key territories. Over the past 18 months we have been investing heavily in our UK premises and our sales structure to ensure we have the right equipment and personnel to service our clients in the various industries we operate in, and we expect to maintain this commitment for years to come.