Speed and flexibility on offer

20 April 2006




Just 18 months into the occupation of its stylish and efficiently organized new plant in Garbagnate Milanese, Milan specialist in building slitter rewinding equipment for pressure sensitive materials Ghezzi & Annoni is a hive of activity. Latest investment is the management computer system aimed at optimizing spare parts deliveries.

Sales manager Bruce McNeill told Converting Today: “We are approaching the supply of our 1,000th machine. Our philosophy is to make reliable machines: machines that make money for people. Today waste is a key issue so we have equipment that is geared to reducing waste.”

G&A is developing in two directions. “We provide high performance, fully automatic, quick change machines such as the RSC 180 for the big boys, or equipment that is not so fast or dedicated.” Latest concept is the FA (flexible automatic) 300. He explained: “Before this flexibility was only really available on the semi automatic machines. Size change is very quick and the cost of tooling is much cheaper.” Particularly interesting is the design of the universal change parts system, which is critical to the whole FA concept, although the company is not keen to reveal too much detail at this stage. Since the first FA was built last June, 14 machines have been sold.

Commented Mike Attard, of UK sales agent Eurograv: “The FA300, whilst offering a less expensive alternative to the conventional automatic machines, increases the utilization of the slitter, from say 30 per cent with a normal cantilevered system, to 90 per cent. The universal change parts allows converters to set jobs up quickly and ensure that they can cope efficiently with smaller orders and maintain a level of production and quality. Also, the fact that the machine can perform both slitting and rewind as well as logging is good news for converters and manufacturers alike.”

The machine comes predisposed to accept score, razor or shear cut and it can be fitted later with a driven unwind and a jumbo roll lifting device. “It is truly flexible and automatic,” enthused Bruce McNeill. That flexibility is not just in the ability to switch core sizes say, but also in the range of materials capable of being handled.

G&A also specializes in producing equipment for special tape materials, as well as end of line and packaging systems for tape converters. It provides many different models for special tapes such as foams and foils. “With these added value products the waste issue is particularly important,” said Bruce McNeill. “We see the market changing very rapidly. We have had to adapt very quickly; we have had to ask the customer ‘how can we adapt to your needs?’ “

Between 24 and 30 lines are delivered each year. The company also produces coaters – two to three on average per year. Hotmelt lines are a speciality; seven have been ordered over the last two years. Converflex - Hall 24, stand E53.


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Flexible and automatic - the FA300 slitter rewinder Flexible and automatic - the FA300 slitter rewinder


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