Medica Invests in More GUK Folding Equipment

February 2009

Medica Packaging, the dedicated pharmaceutical operation of Benson Group, UK packaging company of the year, has announced details of an order for two more GUK folders for its Crewe factory. The deal with GUK distributor M Partners encompasses two machines, though just one has been installed to date.

The investment follows substantial growth in patient information leaflet production work at Medica, leading to a demand for 30% more folding capacity. "Legislation requires more complex patient information leaflets, and we have also experienced a significant growth in the number of overall orders that we have been winning," said Benson Group Managing Director Mark Kerridge. "Although the new machine has replaced an existing H&H folder, GUK products are designed well for this task, and will allow us to significantly increase productivity without adding additional labour into the plant."

Both machines in the deal are high speed GUK FA43 models with 10 folding plates. They will allow for complex folds on multiple-up work with a 1mm tolerance, and will be capable of producing millions of leaflets per week. The order follows the excellent performance of the existing GUK FA43 at Medica Packaging, which has demonstrated its effectiveness in producing high volumes of precision work.

"Our first GUK folder has been exceptional," added Mark Kerridge. "We have also been very pleased with the high quality after sales support on the product."

Commenting on the order for M Partners, Joint Managing Director Murray Lock said: "We are, of course, delighted to be able to add additional folding capacity to the Medica plant. We have developed an excellent partnership with Benson Group, and believe that we have an in-depth understanding of the needs of the pharmaceutical market, which has helped us in customising the GUK product to exactly match the needs of Medica." Total order value for the two machine package is £250,000.