VMS-Print was founded as a packaging printshop in 2001. In the meantime, the company has developed into a multi-faceted provider of a full range of production services covering board and corrugated packaging, as well as self-adhesive labels. Since last year, it has also been the proud owner of a Rapida 75 PRO press in a six-colour configuration with coater unit for UV coating in an inline process.

With its modern machinery base and sophisticated production culture, VMS-Print can be counted among the branch leaders and is one of the five largest producers of pharmaceutical packaging in Russia. In 2018, the company invested strongly in expansion of its production plant in Podolsk (30km from Moscow) and in new press equipment to satisfy customer demands for practically every kind of packaging.

Mirkamol Mirzamakhmudov, general director von VMS-Print, is delighted: “With the new press, we are responding to the needs of our customers.”

Efficient packaging production

Production space has almost doubled. The 6,500m2 (70,000sq.ft) facility accommodates a full spectrum of machines for production using imitation chromo board and microflute corrugated. There are corrugated board and lamination machines, flexo printing presses, folder-gluers, cutting presses, UV coating facilities, embossing machines, and much more besides.

The cleanliness of the production plant is especially impressive. And that despite the fact that board production is usually considered rather dusty business. General director Mirkamol Mirzamakhmudov: “That is all a result of our sophisticated production culture and outstanding internal discipline. We pay great attention to the cleanliness of our production halls and equipment. And that would have been just the same if we had specialised in other print products instead of packaging.”

Modern ErgoTronic console with wallscreen

New market segment, new format

The Rapida 75 PRO stands in a separate building. Even after many years of experience on the packaging market, it was something new for VMS-Print to use a UV press of its own for production on non-absorbent substrates. Mirkamol Mirzamakhmudov explains: “We were repeatedly confronted with requests for production on such materials. But as we were lacking the necessary equipment, the printing for these jobs was sent to colleagues and we only took care of the post-press steps. That was a risk for us in terms of both quality and scheduling. In this respect, it was imperative to purchase a press which would be suitable for packaging production using metallised board, plastics and other non-absorbent substrates.”

Until recently, VMS-Print relied on equipment from another manufacturer along the whole process chain from platemaking to post-press. The Rapida 75 PRO was the company’s first purchase from Koenig & Bauer, and at the same time the first half-format press at the company, which otherwise produces exclusively in medium formats.

The general director recalls the selection criteria: “We were guided solely by market parameters – price, quality and service. The presses offered by Koenig & Bauer in the desired configuration currently deliver the best combination of these parameters. Service was an important, perhaps even the decisive aspect. I made it clear to all the potential suppliers that technical support was paramount. After all, we were looking to enter a new market with a technology which was new for us. We agreed with Koenig & Bauer that a trainer would be placed at our side to pass on corresponding know-how in UV printing and to enable a smooth start to the production of such jobs.”

Cosmetics packaging is often produced by applying special-effect finishes to metallised substrates. This can be achieved in various ways, for example by foil stamping or UV coating.

Evolutionary development

“Today, I am glad that we accepted the challenges of this new technology,” says Mirkamol Mirzamakhmudov. “We are offering our customers high-end products. And Koenig & Bauer has helped us to establish the necessary prerequisites. We are positioning our company as a multi-

function provider and offer customers complex solutions for the realisation of their packaging products. With the installation of the new press, we are responding to the needs of our customers. In addition, we have decided to install our own ink mixing station. The market never stands still. And we are developing in line with the market, by modernising our production facilities and by expanding the technological possibilities for offset and flexo printing.”

Production space at the company has been increased to 6,500m2

Anna Perova

Background photo: The most recent investment at VMS-Print is a Rapida 75 PRO with six printing units and an inline coater for UV coating