Chief, a leading packaging and display provider in the US, today announced its investment in the HP PageWide C500 Press. The machine will be used for single-pass, direct-to-board mainstream production to serve growing demand for high-quality digitally printed corrugated displays and packaging.
The press is scheduled for installation in the Chief Atlanta-area complex in August. The addition of the HP PageWide C500 press will continue Chief’s ongoing investment in digital print and production that began in early 2000. Realizing the importance and potential of the emerging digital print technologies, Chief created Chief Digital in 2011 to focus completely on digital production.
Chief Digital has an impressive lineup of printing technologies, beginning with the HP Latex LX600 Printer and HP Scitex FB700 Industrial Printer. By early 2013, Chief Digital had two HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Presses installed. In 2015, as demand continued to grow, the need for faster speeds and higher print quality led to the decision to install the HP Scitex 15500 Corrugated Press.
“What sets Chief apart in the corrugated packaging and display industry is that digital printing has been part of our DNA since the very beginning,” said Aaron Hayes, Chief Digital General Manager. “We didn’t just buy a press yesterday. We began this journey years ago and have continued to create, adapt, and lead in digital converting.”
The addition of the HP PageWide C500 brings high-quality mainstream digital production to a greater level for Chief’s clients. This includes opening the market for food packaging applications to serve its clients’ growing needs for digital flexibility. The HP PageWide C500’s CV150 Water-Based Inks and HP Bonding Agent enable printing on both primary and secondary food packaging without an additional barrier, which can comply with even the most stringent global food safety regulations, including Nestle guidance and Swiss Ordinance.
Providing a cost-effective digital alternative for offset lamination and flexo production, the C500 prints on a wide media range, from F-flute to BC-flute, and from uncoated to coated media with premium offset-quality for packaging and displays with high-impact graphics. The press prints 246 linear ft/min while using HP’s patented Virtual Belt technology for accurate and efficient media handling in demanding corrugated production environments.
PageWide C500’s Thermal Inkjet technology deploys one million nozzles and 6X redundancy for consistent quality from board to board. This feature reduces or eliminates the risks of nozzle-out white lines that may result from piezo inkjet printheads.
Chief Container’s client list includes some of the world’s largest category-leading brands, ranging from consumer electronics to personal care to food and beverage. “Our clients are experts in product marketing and they know the package is an extension of the consumer’s product experience,” said Reuben Guthrie, Chief President. “The HP PageWide C500 and the creative team at Chief will help our brands realize new and effective ways to innovate with digitally-printed packaging and displays.”
Chief offers a turn-key packaging and display solution to its clients with an impressive lineup of analogue and digital production, as well as a complete assembly and fulfilment centre. “We have always sought out the best equipment and solutions for our clients,” said Hayes. “But the machine can only be as good as its operator. When it comes down to it, the greatest difference at Chief is found in our employees.”
