Page 27 - PWM2026_MARCH EBOOK

TECHNOLOGY REPORT

becomes, overall productivity is limited delivered both operational and sustainability benefits. Using Three operators originally managed
by the slowest point in the workflow, PLASTGrommet’s proprietary clear eyelets enables banners the PLASTGrommet finishing equip-
and more often than not, that point is printed on PP and PE materials to remain within the same waste ment, but with the installation of the
finishing. stream, an increasingly important consideration for Route 1
At Route 1 Print, however, finishing is Print’s customers. TexWiz, Young anticipates this will
not an overlooked bottleneck. Instead, From a finishing perspective, the clear, rust-free eyelets also reduce to just one operator, significantly
automating this stage of production is improving efficiency and resource allo-
treated as a clear priority. provide a clean, premium appearance, ensuring the final product cation. Together, these investments
“Finishing is one of the biggest chal- meets both performance and aesthetic expectations. have reshaped Route 1 Print’s large-for-
lenges in large-format production, so In November 2025, Route 1 Print further strengthened its fin-
introducing more automation allows us ishing capability with the addition of the Hybrid TexWiz inte- mat finishing operation, removing previ-
to deliver higher quality products faster grated banner finishing platform, bringing automated cutting, ous constraints and creating a more
while expanding the range of solutions eyeletting, banner welding, and fabric sewing together within a scalable, resilient workflow.
we can offer our customers,” explains single system. By bringing key finishing processes in-
Mark Young, Managing Director of “Bringing these processes in-house has allowed us to streamline house and increasing automation, the
Route 1 Print’s parent company Bluetree production, maintain higher quality control, and deliver a more
Group. business has improved efficiency,
consistent, premium product to our customers,” explains Young, reduced manual intervention, and
Bringing large-format finishing in- adding: “Bringing all production in-house was essential to ensure strengthened its ability to meet growing
house we could consistently guarantee the quality and turnaround times demand without compromising quality
Growing demand for large-format that our customers expect. The TexWix impressed us with its or turnaround times.
products, combined with a focus on fin- unmatched finishing performance and speed. It has significantly
ishing automation, prompted Route 1 increased our capacity, allowing us to meet higher demand with Rafa Menéndez, Head of Sales and
Print to review its existing processes. ease. Marketing at PLASTGrommet, adds:
Some elements of large-format finishing greater flexibility in our production workflow.” “From significantly increasing capacity
“The investment has massively freed up capacity, giving us
had previously been outsourced, and a
Route 1 Print boosts capacity lack of end-to-end control was a key frus- Finishing Station was overseen by PLASTGrommet’s UK distribu- consistently meeting customer demand
and expanding its product offering to
Hitting the ground running with support and training
tration.
Installation of the eyelet presses, Evolve Air Welder, and the
throughout the year, Route 1 Print dem-
As the business explored options to
onstrates what can be achieved when
bring more of this work in-house, the
with PLASTGrommet team encountered PLASTGrommet’s tor, Atech, while the Hybrid TexWiz installation was managed by investment in large-format finishing is
both PLASTGrommet and Atech, and Route 1 Print was fully
large-format finishing automation solu-
prioritised alongside the latest print
operational on the TexWiz within a matter of days. On-site train-
tions at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024.
technology.
ing ensured operators were confident using the equipment from
With brand quality and performance
central to this decision, the outset. Finishing can often be an oversight
PLASTGrommet’s range was a strong fit “The large-format team has responded extremely positively,” but can be the difference between stay-
for Route 1 Print’s requirements. “We explains Young. ing competitive and falling behind.
require finishing equipment that can “The equipment’s simplicity and efficiency have made a tangi- “It has been a pleasure working with
keep pace with fast turnaround produc- ble difference to their workflow, improving both productivity and
tion while consistently delivering a pre- day-to-day operations. Our experience with PLASTGrommet has Route 1 Print alongside our UK distribu-
mium product, with no compromise on been excellent.” Visiting PLASTGrommet’s headquarters in Spain tors ATECH on streamlining its finish-
quality or reliability,” says Young. ing automation for large-format print
Route 1 Print’s initial investment ahead of the TexWiz investment also gave the team greater visibil- production, and we very much look for-
included the Evolve Air Welder and two ity into the company’s capabilities and approach. ward to continuing the partnership.”
eyelet presses for clear eyelets, installed Support from Atech, PLASTGrommet’s UK distributor for
in September 2024, followed by the smaller finishing equipment, also played an important role This focus on finishing automation
Finishing Station in May 2025. throughout the process. “Their support has been invaluable, help- has not only addressed immediate pro-
Reflecting on the impact of the Evolve ing us to overcome challenges, and ensuring we can consistently duction challenges, but has also posi-
Air Welder, Young notes that it marked meet customer demand, even during our busiest periods,” Young tioned Route 1 Print to support its
a clear increase in output. “ says. customers as requirements continue to
The quality of the product it produced
was much better than what we’d had in Tripled capacity due to reduced bottlenecks evolve. Young concludes:
the past. It has enabled us to produce “The improved finishing automation,
these products at scale and expand our With outdoor banner production previously a bottleneck in particularly with the TexWiz, will allow
product range. The investment has sig- Route 1 Print’s large-format finishing workflow, the introduction us to nearly triple our capacity, signifi-
nificantly increased our production of the TexWiz has eliminated this constraint and enabled the com-
capacity, freeing up resources across the pany to produce banners more efficiently, with the added flexibil- cantly enhancing turnaround times and
business.” ity of being able to finish both PVC banners and polyester heras enabling us to take on a greater volume
The addition of the eyelet presses fence banners with the same machine. of work.”

www.printweekmena.com March 2026 PrintWeek MENA 27