• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Dscoop Post-Show Coverage

    Slitter-Rewinders

    Craft Beer Labels

    Pharmaceutical Labels

    Luminer Converting Group: Narrow Web Profile
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center

    Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners

    Vetaphone adds support for American customers

    EyeC unveils revamped website
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    World’s first tequila in a cardboard bottle

    In-Mold Decorating Association announces 2022 IMDA Awards Competition

    Five approaches for more sustainable beauty packaging

    Essentra Packaging invests in Landa Nanographic press

    In 2040 a fifth of all food packaging could still be landfilled or incinerated
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center

    Vetaphone adds support for American customers

    Grace Imaging gets boost from GM finishing equipment

    Nazdar to manufacture VFP electronic ink for US Market
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    World’s first tequila in a cardboard bottle

    EyeC unveils revamped website

    Grace Imaging gets boost from GM finishing equipment

    Five approaches for more sustainable beauty packaging
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses

    EyeC unveils revamped website

    Essentra Packaging invests in Landa Nanographic press

    SunDance moves into flexible packaging with HP Indigo

    Why inkjet and toner systems will be market redefining to 2032
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners

    In 2040 a fifth of all food packaging could still be landfilled or incinerated

    Nazdar to manufacture VFP electronic ink for US Market

    Asda implements latest ColorCert ScoreCard Server

    Zeller+Gmelin introduces UV-curable and water-based inkjet inks
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    HP, Inc.

    Heidelberg USA

    Martin Automatic Inc.

    KTI

    Ashe Converting Equipment
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Substrates
      • Pressrooom Supplies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Breaking News

    Flexo Wash celebrates 30-year anniversary

    Henning Kongstad has built and led this global supplier of cleaning machines for the print industry.

    Flexo Wash celebrates 30-year anniversary
    Henning Kongstad, founder of Flexo Wash
    Related CONTENT
    • Arrow Inks
    • Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands
    • Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements
    • Discover Achem Lamination
    • GraphTech Ltd.
    09.03.21
    This year marks the 30th anniversary of Henning Kongstad's founding of Flexo Wash. In 30 years this family-owned business has shown significant growth, as it now employs 50 cleaning experts at its Denmark headquarters and produces cleaning machines for the global print industry.

    The story of Flexo Wash officially began in 1989 with the invention of the first cleaning machine from a dishwasher. However, the complete story goes back even further to 1977.

    Kongstad started a label printing business in 1977 and bought his first printing machine in 1978. It was this business that served as the impetus for inventing Flexo Wash almost 10 years later. During that time the equipment was washed by hand, which was fine with the types of inks used at the time. However, in the late 1980s the business changed to water-based inks due to environmental concerns.

    Water-based inks were not easy to clean: “When the change came to water-based inks, my guys could spend all their time in between jobs cleaning the parts because it was so difficult to clean water-based inks. And I had a guy working for me who thought this could be done smarter, so he builds the first cleaning machine prototype from a regular dishwasher. Of course, it was not perfect, but we knew we had something here," says Kongstad.

    The journey had begun and the second prototype for a cleaning machine was built at the local blacksmith. Most importantly, it could handle the inks and the intense workload that comes with the repeated cleaning that is necessary at a label printer business.

    “During the first year I think we sold 10-15 cleaning machines, and I sold them all to colleagues I knew in business who also wanted a cleaning machine to ease their cleaning. If I hadn’t had the network, I had it wouldn’t have been possible to do," Kongstad comments.

    Both the label printing business and Kongstad’s network were key to Flexo Wash taking off and becoming a viable business. But what draws most attention is the resilience and hard work that was put into bringing the machines out into the world. The first name of this burgeoning company was Water Wash, but Kongstad thought it was too generic. The name “Flexo Wash” happened organically, well before they even thought about heading to English-speaking countries or worldwide.

    Bringing Flexo Wash around the world was hard work and success did not come easy in a time where they didn’t have a lot of the tools we use today. In the early 1990s, Henning and his partners had to take the machine to the customers all around the world to demonstrate how it could benefit them.

    “We had a good thing going in Denmark and rather quickly I accessed other markets like United Kingdom and France to get Flexo Wash moving on the tracks – it went well. Then my brother joined to take care of Scandinavia and later he learned German to get Flexo Wash into the German market as well," says Kongstad. “Quite early on I wanted to get a hold on the American market with our cleaning machine, but we just couldn’t get anyone to buy one. The market wasn’t ready for change – it was different from Europe to my surprise. However, when I travelled America and visited printing businesses, I realized they needed something different – anilox cleaning. It just goes to show that driving 40-50 thousand kilometers, travelling to 53 countries 200 days a year was a big part of evolving Flexo Wash as a business and our machines”

    The trip to the United States became the starting point for developing yet another machine that the market had a need for and that has become the essence of Flexo Wash: the anilox cleaner.

    “Developing that anilox-cleaner to the concept and stage it is at today of course with more modern solutions took three to four years. And, all this was only possible because I had the label printing business, which could pay me a salary and generate money for Flexo Wash so everything we earned we could put back into the company for development. If I hadn’t had that possibility the company would not be having its 30-year anniversary," states Kongstad.

    In the early 2000s, Henning's son, Lars Kongstad, became managing director of Flexo Wash while Henning joined the Board as President. Henning explains, “Although I have a lot of companies and projects that I have started over the years, running a company is not what interests me. What interests me is getting out in the world – meet people, their cultures, talk to them and learn. Maybe I see something where I can make a difference, and then I make a move."

    In the late 1990s, when the machines slowly became increasingly bigger, the company began growing substantially under the leadership of Lars Kongstad. After almost 10 more years, Lars wanted to bring in his younger brother, Anders Kongstad, as technical director. When Lars Kongstad wanted to step down as director, Anders Kongstad took over.

    What Anders Kongstad brought to the company was more focus on technical engineering due to his background. Henning Kongstad had envisioned a tunnel washing concept for cylinders that would create easy handling for the heavy equipment, but the project had not taken off yet. Anders took the lead on the idea and over five years together with the rest of the Flexo Wash team he created the MCC, Multi Cylinder Cleaner, which today is a patented machine that is the largest and most impressive concept at Flexo Wash.   

    Henning has shown an incredible work ethic through the years and his sons follow the same principle. When the financial crisis hit the world in 2008 there was not a single order for Flexo Wash for six months. However, the company cultivated their leads and network. And after six months the orders started to fly in again and ended as one of the best years ever.

    The same goes for the pandemic crisis in 2020. Henning says, “When the lockdown happened, we didn’t panic. We already had plans in the work to create a different approach. We just set turbo to those plans. I believe that the world has changed, and as always Flexo Wash has changed with it. “
    Suggested For You
    Arrow Inks Arrow Inks
    Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands
    Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements
    Discover Achem Lamination Discover Achem Lamination
    GraphTech Ltd. GraphTech Ltd.
    Global Graphics touts SmartDFE Global Graphics touts SmartDFE
    Fujifilm, Edale find success with flexographic showroom Fujifilm, Edale find success with flexographic showroom
    Fujifilm forecasts bright future for labels Fujifilm forecasts bright future for labels
    Fujifilm responds to label and packaging growth with versatile portfolio Fujifilm responds to label and packaging growth with versatile portfolio
    Archroma launches online regulatory and compliance platform Archroma launches online regulatory and compliance platform
    Toray Plastics (America) delivering clean energy to Rhode Island Toray Plastics (America) delivering clean energy to Rhode Island
    Michelman preparing for 10th Annual Global Day of Service Michelman preparing for 10th Annual Global Day of Service
    Flint Group Narrow Web introduces ‘Evolution Series’ of coating products Flint Group Narrow Web introduces ‘Evolution Series’ of coating products
    NanoGrafix engineers new solutions for security printing NanoGrafix engineers new solutions for security printing
    UFlex joins Alliance to promote circular economy UFlex joins Alliance to promote circular economy

    Related Content

    • Arrow Inks

      Arrow Inks

      ...
      Mike Mitchell, President 05.11.22

    • Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands

      Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands

      The industry leader in the manufacture of technologically advanced converting equipment and packaging automation specific to the roll label and POS industry.

    • Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements

      Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements

      In an interview with L&NW, David Morris explains how his company's latest technology gives the operator full control of the diecutting process.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor


    • Discover Achem Lamination

      Discover Achem Lamination

      ...

    • GraphTech Ltd.

      ...
      Ivan Ivanov, CEO 03.09.22


      Trending
      • Brook + Whittle Acquires Diamond Flexible Packaging | Label and Narrow Web
      • Five Approaches For More Sustainable Beauty Packaging | Label and Narrow Web
      • SunDance Moves Into Flexible Packaging With HP Indigo | Label and Narrow Web
      • Argent Tape & Label's Lynn Perenic An 'Entrepreneur Of The Year' Finalist | Label and Narrow Web
      • Trinity Graphic Announces Restructuring And Expansion Plan | Label and Narrow Web
      Breaking News
      • Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses
      • Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center
      • Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners
      • Vetaphone adds support for American customers
      • EyeC unveils revamped website
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      April 2022

      • Dscoop Post-Show Coverage
      • Slitter-Rewinders
      • Craft Beer Labels
      • Pharmaceutical Labels
      • Luminer Converting Group

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Kyowa Hakko Appoints Dr. Colin Hill to Immuse Scientific Advisory Board
      Expert Consensus Statement: Diet is Best Primary Intervention to Achieve Diabetes Remission
      Choline Alone May Improve Maternal DHA Status During Pregnancy
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      Teknos Receives EcoVadis Gold Medal for Sustainability Performance
      AkzoNobel and Partners Team Up to Hack Carbon Reduction Challenges
      Five PPG Facilities in Ohio Recognized for Sustainability, Health, Safety Practices
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      VenoStent's SelfWrap Bioabsorbable Perivascular Wrap Earns Breakthrough Status
      Guard Medical Closes $11 Million Series B Investment
      OMNIVISION, Silicon Line Partner on Optical Fiber Endoscope Cables
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Catalent Invests $175M to Expand Mfg. Capabilities at Winchester, KY
      Sartorius Expands Manufacturing Site in Tunisia
      BioMoti Partners with Pharma Company to Develop Ovarian Cancer Treatment
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Garance Doré Launches Made in France Skincare Line
      The World’s Most Popular Perfumes & Celebrity Fragrances
      Ulta Beauty Launches Retail Media Network
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Loum Beauty, Rare Beauty Launch #BeautyCares Voices
      ACI Urges Congress To Ensure Funding for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
      Dr. Dana’s Nail Renewal System Relaunches Under Rare Beauty Brands
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      hubergroup Chemicals Exhibits at Paint India for First Time
      Award for Sustainability: Evonik Receives Platinum Rating Again
      Nazdar Ink Technologies to Showcase Latest Ink Innovations at FESPA Global Print Expo 2022
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Dantex Group receives accreditation for Pico digital presses
      Heidelberg USA launches new Print Media Performance & Training Center
      Avery Dennison announces Global Supplier Award winners
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      'Right' Hygiene Conference to be Held in June
      Freudenberg to Present Battery Pack and Liquid Absorbers at Battery Show
      H&V Appoints Vice President and General Counsel
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Paragon 28 Rolls Out TenoTac 2.0 Hammertoe and Soft Tissue Repair
      Cionic Expands Scientific Advisory Board
      First Surgeries Performed Using Globus Medical's Excelsius3D
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Evonik Launches New Processing Aids for PV Wafer Cutting
      NREL Creates Highest Efficiency 1-Sun Solar Cell
      eMagin Wins People’s Choice Award at Display Week 2022

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login