PFFC - February 2008 - (Page 28)

COATING LAMINATING Tools of the Trade Special Report Ultra Flex began in 1974 when Blatt used his graphic arts background to manufacture flexo-printed, low-density polyethylene bags. In 1985, the addition of new partners gave the firm a foothold in the laminated products market. An infusion of skilled technical professionals plus state-of-the-art equipment saw Ultra Flex’s aggressive expansion from a converting company to a manufacturer of ultra-high-barrier composite films. Powerful, high performance motors are controlled by maintenance-free drives. The trend toward globalization has been met with a carefully crafted domestic production strategy that included replacing some equipment with a shift to offshore partners. Blatt, along with partners Todd Addison and Bob Smith, decided to focus on core markets of coffee, food, industrial, and medical barrier packaging. The firm now �� enjoys more than $50 million in sales, has 220+ employees, and occupies an industrial park ten miles west of Kennedy Airport. The plant is spotless, well organized, and amenable to excellent material handling. Converting equipment consists of solvent and solventless laminators; there are two Nordmeccanicas and one solvent Schiavi. Printing is accomplished on three Fischer and Krecke ten-color flexo presses. The extrusion facility, housed in a dedicated building, consists of a DavisStandard coextrusion lamination line with cast film manufacturing capabilities. The line is capable of producing eight-layer laminates with special seal layers and high-barrier properties. The versatile extruder boasts coating and cast capabilities. A complete prepress department is capable of 155 lpi. Digital direct-to-plate technology has added significant speed and accuracy to the platemaking process. The bagging capabilities include ziplock, easy-tear, gusset, and stand-up pouches. Sideweld bags also are manufactured for a variety of options including both hanger and wicketed types. The jewel in Ultra Flex’s plant is the newly installed Nordmeccanica three-ply adhesive laminator. The three-ply one-pass market is the direction North American converters are taking to compete globally. All this equipment is complemented by a fully equipped lab. It contains the necessary equipment to ensure proper quality control on all products. In addition to Titan slitters, Ultra Flex recently purchased a new Ashe Jade slitter with the capability of handling web widths of 88 in. and rolls up to 44 in. O.D. Equipped with complete electronic controls, and with no hydraulics, Blatt says the Jade slitter is a totally clean machine, able to run product without any contamination. WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM PFFC-ASAP 120 28 | FEBRUARY 2008 http://www.goldenrodcorp.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - February 2008

PFFC - February 2008 Contents First Glance Calendar of Events From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Carton & Box Reporter Offset Printing A Triple Ply: Coating & Laminating Global Market Is Strong for Vacuum-Coated Products Melamine Innovation: A New Choice for Barrier Coatings How To Optimize Your Coating Solution’s Properties What’s New Products Contract Services Directory Custom Marketplace What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - February 2008

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