Simpson Group is changing things up in its finishing department with the addition of a
Col-Tec Smart Collator. The machine is an eight-station 60 x 40in poster smart collator with the option of creating 16 additional stations at a small size of 30 x 40in. It can run various substrates at different thicknesses, either by following generic instructions programmed directly onto the machine or, alternatively, more complex bespoke collations can be pushed to the machine in a CSV formant via the company’s own proprietary software program.
The introduction of the new kit means that a POS promotion for a major retail, with a large number of outlets all requiring variable sets, can now be collated at the touch of a button. Subsequently, the machine is expected to allow Simpson Group to take on more business whilst improving both efficiency and accuracy.
Sarah Tishler, training and development director explained: “We were aware of the competitive advantage other POS manufacturers had over us when it came to packing complex collations. The investment in this new machinery helps us to address this whilst also improving pack accuracy”.
A new project team has been appointed to review best practice going forward in regards to presenting items to the machine and moving them on through the department for packing following collation.
Both the commissioning of the new Col-Tec Smart Collator and recent 10 year headquarter anniversary was marked by a visit from Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, and Shadow Minister for Public Health.