11.18.11
Apex North America, citing growing demand for their GTT series of ink metering rolls, has begun a significant expansion on the company’s Donora, PA, USA plant.
“When the flexo marketplace speaks, Apex responds,” remarked Apex North America’s Vice President of Sales Ken Ralton. “We simply need more room to operate more lasers to engrave these anilox rolls and sleeves.”
According to the company, the Donora plant will be one of the largest anilox production sites in North America and will have space for twelve lasers that can engrave both GTT and conventional hexcell anilox surfaces. The new addition will meet “clean room” fabrication standards; Apex’s current building will be converted to include machining, repair and warehousing functions. Two constant-beam engraving lasers are to be delivered this month. Current laser operators and new laser operations staff will be trained and certified at Apex’s Holland headquarters in Hapert, Netherlands.
“Despite the global economic problems some industrial sectors are feeling, packaging and printing continues to grow and look for new technology efficiencies,” observed Ralton. “Apex and its new GTT products deliver cost savings and quality, enabling growth across this sector.”
To provide power for lighting and HVAC, Apex has tapped into its own natural gas well beneath its Donora property. “While there’s not enough natural gas for Apex to change businesses and become an energy provider, we can still minimize our carbon footprint by employing our own clean-burning fuel for these basic utilities,” said Ralton.
Apex North America is the fastest-growing subsidiary of Holland-based Apex Group of Companies. Apex invented and holds the patent on the Genetic Transfer Technology (GTT) product line, the successor to conventional hexcell anilox products.
“When the flexo marketplace speaks, Apex responds,” remarked Apex North America’s Vice President of Sales Ken Ralton. “We simply need more room to operate more lasers to engrave these anilox rolls and sleeves.”
According to the company, the Donora plant will be one of the largest anilox production sites in North America and will have space for twelve lasers that can engrave both GTT and conventional hexcell anilox surfaces. The new addition will meet “clean room” fabrication standards; Apex’s current building will be converted to include machining, repair and warehousing functions. Two constant-beam engraving lasers are to be delivered this month. Current laser operators and new laser operations staff will be trained and certified at Apex’s Holland headquarters in Hapert, Netherlands.
“Despite the global economic problems some industrial sectors are feeling, packaging and printing continues to grow and look for new technology efficiencies,” observed Ralton. “Apex and its new GTT products deliver cost savings and quality, enabling growth across this sector.”
To provide power for lighting and HVAC, Apex has tapped into its own natural gas well beneath its Donora property. “While there’s not enough natural gas for Apex to change businesses and become an energy provider, we can still minimize our carbon footprint by employing our own clean-burning fuel for these basic utilities,” said Ralton.
Apex North America is the fastest-growing subsidiary of Holland-based Apex Group of Companies. Apex invented and holds the patent on the Genetic Transfer Technology (GTT) product line, the successor to conventional hexcell anilox products.