Grupo Gondi Places Second Large Order with BOBST in Less Than a Year

Less than a year after agreeing to a seven-machine deal for its new, green field site in Nava, Mexico, Grupo Gondi has placed a further large order for BOBST printing and conversion equipment, as well as for upgrades to existing equipment. The order reflects Grupo Gondi’s commitment to investing in production equipment and its trust in the equipment manufactured and service support provided by BOBST.
 
The deal includes the installation of Grupo Gondi’s second BOBST F&K 90SIX high-performance CI flexo press for pre-printed linerboard and coated boxboard applications; a BOBST Asitrade VISIONFLUTE litho-laminator dry end; a BOBSTEXPERTCUT 145 PER large format die-cutter; and two Impack VIRTUO automatic packers.
 
As part of the purchase, BOBST will also carry out a major upgrade of Grupo Gondi’s existing F&K 90SIX press, which will see it brought to the same level of technology as the new line, reflecting the ability of BOBST to offer world class after-sales support. With the installation of the new F&K 90SIX, Grupo Gondi will have three latest generation, BOBST pre-print presses within their group.
 
Grupo Gondi is proceeding with their expansion plan for the new state-of-the-art green field facility at Nava near Piedras Negra in the north of Mexico. This plant is geared towards serving the substantial beer industry of the area and will be completed by the end of 2016. The F&K 90SIX, EXPERTCUT 145 PER and oneVIRTUO packer are destined for this site, while the other VIRTUO will go to the Group’s EPM plant in México City. The VISIONFLUTE will be installed at Grupo Gondi’s PEOSA (EMP) facility in Guadalajara. The new installations will be accompanied by an upgrade to the latest technology of the F&K 90SIX press at the Group’s PCD plant in Celaya.
 
The BOBST F&K 90SIX line at Nava will go into production in the second half of 2016. Featuring repeats of up to 2060 mm and running at speeds of up to 500 meters per minute, the F&K 90SIX is capable of printing on low grammages while delivering close to offset quality, which considerably lowers production costs.
 
Another special feature of the press is a downstream unit designed for the application of both water-based and UV curable inks. This special feature allows the machine to be used for all types of pre-print and carton applications, including the production of premium beer packaging. A downstream unit of the same type will be among the retrofits on Grupo Gondi’s existing F&K 90SIX.