Accordingly, the Apex Asia Pacific facility in Nashik recently saw the installation of a laser, a precision CNC grinder, and a plasma spray unit.

“Based on technology and market trends in the last decade, we have planned major investments into our global facilities and capital equipment to address the anticipated industry growth,” said Marian Waterschoot, CEO of Apex International. “We are pleased to now witness the realisation of our ‘Vision: 2020s’ plan. As a result of the packaging industry’s recent growth, our customers require our products more promptly, and our expansion meets that worldwide demand.”

The company’s ‘Vision: 2020s’ plan demonstrates its longstanding commitment to continual process improvement. Ken Ralton, chairman, Apex, said, “We reinvest 20% of our revenues into product research and development, new equipment, facility expansion, and professional development. We are the sole anilox manufacturer to commit such funding for product innovation and R&D. Our mission is as much scientific and exploratory as it is engineering and manufacturing.”

As highlighted by Ralton, the developments include new buildings, production equipment and personnel. He added that the India investments are set to enable the plant to boost production capacity by at least 40% and will also enable the manufacturing of larger corrugated and coating rolls.

In terms of staffing growth, Mahesh Kode, who has served at executive levels for leading companies such as Siegwerk and DuPont has been appointed as VP, sales of Apex Asia Pacific. And Prasenjit Das, who brings more than two decades of flexo experience and knowledge from his previous executive positions at DuPont and Siegwerk has been appointed as VP, marketing.

The Nashik facility also houses FlexoKITE’s Asia Knowledge Lab, which offers the technical knowhow to take artwork from plate to print, host press demonstrations, seminars, and webinars. An additional 10 acres of land was recently acquired for expansion of the Apex Asia Pacific facility.

Also, the Apex Europe unit in the Netherlands recently completed construction on its FlexoKITE Knowledge Lab. Its capital manufacturing investments include two new precision CNC grading machines and a ceramic plasma coating unit.

The Apex Italy facility based near Milan is nearing completion of a new setup which is set to increase the factory size by 33%. “This expansion allows us to further optimise production cycles and delivery times,” said Fabio and Stefano Della Torre, directors of Apex Italy.

Likewise, Apex North America near Pittsburgh is set to double the size of its manufacturing facility and enable a greater warehousing area for its ReadyRoll anilox roll and sleeve in-stock programmes with its new construction. “This long-awaited expansion will give our customers much quicker order turnaround,” said Apex North America’s managing director Ruud van Cujik.

Apex Latin America in southern Brazil is set to install a new laser which will increase the plant’s production capability by 25%.

With developments in these five production facilities in four continents, the company aims to cater to its growing portfolio of clients in over 80 countries in quicker turnaround times.