New machines FGPE in 2022

The last half of 2021, Willem de Groot and Norbert Koop have been working on expanding the machine arsenal with new machines and new techniques that we have not produced in-house before, following the single pass printer investment (April 2021) and the two DFT machines (Digital Foil Transfer).

DCP (Digital Cups Print)
We purchased 2 digital printers for the techniques DP5, DP6, and DP7, rotational digital print on the cups of the Dopper bottles. This print of the Doppers was first done externally, in the Netherlands, but the demand has grown so drastically that it is now more advantageous to handle this internally. At the moment we have the flat digital print in house; DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4. We have tested two different brands on location in Belgium and in the Netherlands. In the end we opted for the Belgian machine (Roland, production from Japan), due to the value for money.
As many as 10 Dopper cups can be printed on the spindle at once, in about six minutes (so 100 per hour). Because we will be doing this in house, we can shorten the delivery times in the future, since we are cutting out the transport time to the external printer.

The third week of January we started with the internal production (Kees in Tiel and Marcello at FGPE). Both in Tiel and at FGPE we have a machine and at both locations the first orders have been produced. In March the machine that is currently located in Tiel will also move to FGPE. An employee of FGPE has been trained in Tiel and can operate the machines independently.

DRP (Digital Round Print) – also known as 360 degree print on bottles
This is a completely new technique that we did not do internally yet and that we also couldn’t have an external printer handle. We have tested two different machines, remotely in Sweden with models we sent over and in Germany with an American machine.
In the end we decided to purchase this special technique in China, with much better conditions and the same qualitative possibilities.
By now we are learning how the machine works and are training in Tiel with Kees and the supplier. There are three sizes: DP8, DP9, and DP10. Eight different bottles have been selected with which we will start. In addition to full colour print we can also apply lacquer.
In January models will be made, coordinated by the marketing department. Images and videos will also be created. The production will start in Tiel. After the kick-off the machine will move to FGPE in March. If we sell large quantities, we will invest in a second machine, so Sales: good luck!

LMP (Laser Mega Print)
This year we started with laser engraving larger areas, also known as the MEGA Laser project. We found an external printer in the Netherlands to handle this technique for us. However, the project has been so successful and the order volumes are so high, that we can no do this internally. Our philosophy is: one machine is no machine (taking into account malfunctions, back up, and peak capacity), so we have purchased to mega laser machines in Germany. These will arrive at FGPE in March. Following the necessary training this technique will go live in-house. We can mega laser engrave multiple items, like LB for pens, LC for sports bottles, and LD, LE, and LF for other drinking bottles. These MEGA Laser machines are also suitable for rotational (360 degrees) laser engraving on bottles and laser engraving over uneven surfaces.

At the moment we are looking into expanding the MEGA Laser project with more items.