Innovative Creative Packaging Solutions (South Plainfield, NJ) purchases an Omet Varyflex 670 in-line carton press. The 8-color web-flexo system, manufactured by Omet (Lecco, Italy), is distributed by Matik North America and is expected to be in production this month. The state-of-the-art gearless press, a reportedly $1.4 million investment, is capable of producing fine graphics and seamless solids in either UV- or water-based inks. The press is also able to print one color (inline) on the inside of the carton and is expandable, allowing for hot-stamping and film-laminating capabilities.

Since mid-2005, the longest Speedmaster CD 74 sheetfed-offset press from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, measuring an impressive 65 ft long, has been in production at French packaging converter Alliora. The system consists of eight inking units, three coating units, two drying units and a perfecting device. All time-consuming, in-line, surface-finishing operations are incorporated in a single press. Alliora produces luxury packaging for cosmetics, perfumes, spirits, lifestyle products and high-quality chocolates.

Labels West, Inc. (Woodinville, WA) adds a new HP Indigo ws4050 digital-offset press to its equipment lineup to streamline production of short-run jobs. Founded in 1978, Labels West specializes in custom labels and other printed products to a broad range of retail industries, including personal care, cosmetics, nutriceuticals, and food and wine. Installed at the 20,000-sq-ft Labels West facility last summer and linked with an offline Rotoflex Vericut finishing unit from HP partner Rotoflex International, the ws4050 press has already completed multiple-lot, four-color jobs for a large West Coast nutriceutical firm.