Specialty-substrate provider Connemara Converting relocates to a new 98,000-sq-ft headquarters and manufacturing facility in Bolingbrook, IL. The company primarily sheets label papers and films, but also provides slitting/rewinding services as well as contract rewinding and packaging of gift-wraps into rolls.

In an upgrade to its 57-in. Valmet TSK sheeter, first installed in April 2002, Connemara has added four floor-loading, shaftless unwind stands and a series of decurling bars—all from Valmet Converting (Charlotte, NC). The improvement allows it to run up to 8 webs of material through the sheeter simultaneously. To more easily handle off-loading finished product from the increased throughput, Connemara also added an automatic pallet-removal and replacement system from Valmet.

"We've nearly cut the time in half to load rolls," says Connemara president Charles Connolly. "It's just a better way of sheeting."

This month, the converter will add a complete Balemaster (Crown Point, IN) trim-removal system including trim collection, choppers and compactor. The arrangement will separate trim into different types to increase Connemara's payment from recyclers.

Assisting the company in its move by coordinating all machinery re-installations at the new plant was Beach Technologies (Cary, IL). The outsourced service was responsible for the Valmet TSK sheeter's original setup.