Converting Case Study Packaging Directions
Postpress specialist, ACA has seen an increase in packaging work during the pandemic and believes brand appeal, multi-process projects and sustainability will continue to be key trends moving forward.
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t the start of 2020, ACA attributed 50% of its work to packaging and 50% to commercial print. By the end of that year, the split was 75% in favour of packaging and this signals the future direction of the company. Even when commercial print picks up, ACA has set its sights on expansion in packaging, and this commitment is underlined by the arrival of a Serviform die-making bending machine last month, followed by the ordering of a Heidelberg die-cutter this month. ACA has enjoyed a particular expansion in food and drink packaging, making use of its 5,000sq ft clean room. Food and pharma have been especially strong sectors in most markets during the pandemic, as you would expect. There is no pundit who does not see packaging faring well, moving forward. Consultants Mordor Intelligence puts the value of global folding cartons packaging at US$128.28billion in 2020 and expects it to reach US$166.1billion by 2026. Meanwhile, Verified Market Research reports a figure of $119.55billion in 2018, forecast to reach $175.53billion by 2026, and Pira Smithers valued the market at $115.4bn in 2019, reaching $145.9billion in 2024. All give the sense that packaging is in good health and growing. In the UK, the BPIF figures suggest a market value of £1.1billion, consumption of 650,000 tonnes of carton board and a business employing 6,500 people. In 2016, ACA was the subject of a £6.5million buyout, backed by Royal Bank of Scotland. Its directors, Dara Changizi and Anton Kaszubowski, an entrepreneur and a banker respectively, have worked together before and they bring ambition and judgement to a business seeking steady growth. Based in Glasgow, and adjacent to the airport and M8 motorway, the company boasts its own vehicle fleet and already serves companies in all four nations of the UK. Mr Changizi says: “The pandemic has emphasised the importance of service and reliability. We are a trade house with 70 different processes, from forme and die-making, to multi-process conversion of printed stacks, in a 40,000sq ft factory. We have always known that we have to operate
to top quality standards and at Formula 1 speed. We have seen particular growth in die-cutting and foiling, carton gluing and nesting/tray forming on secondary food packaging over the past year. Longer term, the pandemic will revive environmental concerns and we do look to help customers make good sustainable decisions.” The market has seen a growing trend towards the use of carton board, with more recycled pulp and lighter weight boards where it can still retain its functionality. In addition, ACA has researched films carefully and sources biodegradable options, wherever possible. It also offers antibacterial film for single-sided lamination, which is said to eliminate 99% of the bacteria coming into contact with the film. It can also undertake ISO22196 testing for sensitive materials, such as hospital or personal care packaging. It has also seen an increase in soft touch lamination in the spirits market recently. “We handle jobs from the plain and functional to high end, multi-process work,” says Mr Changizi. “As we return to relatively normal life after lockdown, we anticipate renewed concern about shelf appeal and branding. Finishing processes remain a great way for a brand to stand out from the crowd and we are always willing to help design teams evolve ideas from the start,
as well as fulfilling projects from packaging printers who need an overflow service, help with a challenging job or an on-going trusted partner.”
Working to ever-reducing turnaround times and reduced margins, ACA continues to buy more automated equipment. The new LineA die-making bender, for instance, is 30% faster than any previous model offered by Serviform. This mirrors the digitisation happening throughout the printing industry. The key advantage is higher output and faster order to delivery schedules but it has the secondary benefit of adding artificial intelligence to help operators run the machines more easily and effectively. The skills shortage is an industry-wide issue but ACA is fortunate in its production management team, most of whom have been with the company for 20 years or more. There is an in-house training programme to ensure that all 80 staff can develop their knowledge and skills.
Having taken on former Heidelberg postpress salesman Jes Crossley as business development manager, the company is consulting with, both groups, and independent packaging enterprises throughout the UK.
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aca.ltd
convertermag.com
March 2021
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