en.Wedoany.com Reported - South Africa's Interflex has invested in a new ROTOCON RFP 450 flexographic printing press to boost production capacity and expand into the packaging market. When discussing this collaboration, CEO Eric Singh traced back to the company's first contact with the Rotoflex rewinder in 2006, noting that all its existing rewinders are from this system.
On the occasion of Interflex's 20th anniversary, the newly installed ROTOCON RFP 450 10-color flexographic press is in its final commissioning phase. The equipment can handle labels, shrink sleeves, unsupported films, and cardboard up to 400gsm, and can complete printing, lamination, hot stamping, varnishing, and die-cutting in a single pass.
Eric Singh explained that when running on film at speeds of 150 to 200 meters per minute, the press aligns with the company's high-volume, long-run jobs. He pointed out that the choice between digital and flexographic printing depends on the order volume threshold—below which digital printing is superior, and above which flexographic printing is more cost-effective. The price of one digital printing line is roughly equivalent to that of two flexographic presses.
Akhmuth Sayed, General Manager of ROTOCON in Durban, pointed out that the company is strengthening its services through localization initiatives, particularly in mold and die manufacturing. Due to global supply chain instability, local manufacturing capabilities and rapid support have become competitive advantages. With a single production line potentially producing around 12 dies per day, adding capacity helps shorten delivery times and meet customer demands for speed and quality.
Eric Singh stated that the new press has enabled Interflex to enter the shrink sleeve and roll-to-roll markets, which were previously inaccessible. Many customers prefer simplified formats, and some orders are even shipped directly as printed rolls without requiring post-processing such as die-cutting. The company is planning to move upstream by establishing in-house design studio capabilities to participate earlier in brand proposals and concept stages.
Eric Singh revealed that Interflex has secured work in the beverage packaging sector and has installed additional laser equipment. The company has turned from loss to profit within a year, and the new platform aligns with its long-standing production volume advantages, supporting a more decisive market strategy.
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