Great American Packaging Increases Business With Koenig & Bauer EVO XD

(Left to right) GAP’s printing supervisor, Ignacio Solis; Bruce Carter, GAP’s president; and Greg Gurewitz, GAP’s CEO; give a big “thumbs up” for the 78% increase in printed business due to its Koenig & Bauer EVO XD eight-color flexographic press

When Great American Packaging extols its “white glove service,” this premium differentiator extends to all areas of the company: high quality production, knowledgeable sales force, and sustainability initiatives. As a vertically-integrated manufacturer of custom-printed flexible packaging, the Los Angeles-based firm extrudes, prints, and converts top-notch branded products for businesses in a wide range of styles and sizes.  Since its founding more than 55 years ago, the firm has placed a premium on expanding its deep ties with its existing customers as well as focusing on new customer growth.

“Where we excel is solid customer relationships built on a strong foundation of white glove service,” says Beth Smith, GAP’s executive vice president. “Our customers praise our personal service consultation, quick delivery times, up-to-date sustainability knowledge, and color consistent branding. All of which sets our client’s packaging apart on store shelves and sets us apart from competitors.”

Key to being able to offer this service is its Koenig & Bauer EVO XD eight-color flexographic press. In fact, as Smith acknowledges, GAP has increased its printed business by an astronomical 78% since the EVO XD was installed, which prompted the firm to add more shifts, sales support, and additional personnel. The EVO XD, says Smith, unleashed GAP’s full potential.

GAP’s press operators have taken advantage of the high level of automation on the EVO-XD, which include optical error detection, automated viscosity control, auto washup, auto impression setting, servo control, memory for job settings, automatic splicing, and automatic tension control.

“I’ve been a press operator for more than 30 years in which I’ve operated a wide variety of presses and the Koenig & Bauer EVO XD is the best experience I’ve ever had,” says GAP’s printing supervisor, Ignacio Solis. “The best attribute for our press is Koenig & Bauer’s PrintTronic, which allows us to adjust the impression settings and minimize waste. Our operators enjoy using the friendly touchscreen panels, which automatically control temperature, auto viscosity, and, by far, color consistency, which is awesome.”