Crabtree of Gateshead, Manufacturer and Global Supplier of Quality Metal Printing Machinery

Crabtree of Gateshead enjoy a successful Metpack 2008

Over 7,000 visitors from 105 countries came to Messe Essen. These figures emphasise the significance of Metpack as the leading fair in the metal packaging sector.

The visitors and the exhibitors showed that they were extremely satisfied with the course of the fair. The exhibiting companies reported very good business transactions. The representative survey indicated that one in four visitors signed a purchase contract at Metpack - in part, for machines worth several million euros.

Lans Herbert and Wolfgang Niemsch, the two Chairmen of the Metpack Committee, see the trade fair as a mirror image of the mood in the sector: "Metal packaging is in demand all over the world. The companies are registering double-figure increases in turnover. Metpack in Essen is the central meeting place of the sector. This year as well, the important decision-takers were here."

Metpack is an International Information and Ordering Platform
Two thirds of the trade visitors came from abroad. "That is a value which just a few other fairs achieve," Egon Galinnis, Managing Director of Messe Essen, showed that he was very satisfied. One in three visitors originated from non-European countries; guests from South, East and Central Asia were represented here to a particularly great extent. 85 percent of the visitors are decisively involved in procurement decisions of their companies. Over 90 percent of the trade visitors reported a successful visit to the fair. They used Metpack 2008, above all, in order to obtain information about innovations and refinements, to maintain business relations in a targeted way and to conclude transactions.

Positive Mood is Reflected in Business Transactions
The mood in the metal packaging sector is excellent. More than half of the visitors, considerably more than at the last Metpack in 2005, estimate that the economic development will exhibit an upward trend in future.

Therefore, investments are being made now. 24 percent of the visitors (in 2005: 14.6 percent) placed orders directly at the fair; 64 percent of the guests are planning to purchase machines after Metpack on the basis of the information obtained there.
The exhibitors showed that they were extremely satisfied with the course of the fair and are also expecting good post-fair business. 90 percent of the exhibitors indicated that they had reached their target groups at the trade fair in Essen. Their expectations for Metpack 2008 had been more than fulfilled.

Mike Jevons, Project & Service Manager of Crabtree of Gateshead Ltd. said at the close of the exhibition: "We have developed our new Fastready Gen 3 machine specifically for Metpack. The machine which we have shown at Metpack has already been sold and numerous other customers have declared their interest in it. Metpack 2008 was very successful for us. Every day, we held discussions on our booth even long after the fair had closed. All in all, we had more guests on our booth than in 2005 and can only confirm: The mood in the sector is good."

Next Metpack in Spring 2011
Even now, over 90 percent of the visitors and the exhibitors have already decided that they will come to the next Metpack too. Metpack 2011 will take place on May 10 14, 2011 and it will once again be scheduled to coincide with Interpack.

April 28 2008
View the exhibition photos...

Crabtree of Gateshead to Integrate Applied Vision KromaKing Systems into Metal Decorating Equipment

Crabtree of Gateshead Ltd has signed an agreement with Applied Vision Company to integrate the KromaKing® colour inspection system into the industry-leading line of Crabtree metal decorating equipment.

Fully integrating the colour monitoring system into the printing line during initial installation ensures optimal system configuration.

The in-line colour monitoring system will be made available for all new Crabtree Marquess, C2000 and Fastready presses beginning in July 2007. The system will also be offered as a retrofit for existing Marquess and 1290 lines.

''The market has been asking for this type of integrated solution for years,'' said Joseph Bica of Applied Vision. ''By combining our advanced algorithms and imaging technology with Crabtree's world-renown metal decorating presses, customers can better realize the efficiencies of true, accurate in-line colour monitoring.''

'Our customers rely on us to help them produce the best product possible,'' said Brian Dodds of Crabtree of Gateshead. ''By integrating a reliable colour monitoring system, backed by Applied Vision, we're helping our customers take advantage of the best technology the industry has to offer.''

Applied Vision's KromaKing system is specifically designed to verify the accuracy of colour and overall pattern of the printing process and detect registration errors, colour shifts, spatial defects and more. Calibrated colour measurements can be provided in Delta E, Delta Lab, Delta RGB and Delta CMY values with Applied Vision's optional digital mastering technology.

KromaKing uses multiple digital colour cameras on gantry positioned above the Crabtree printing line. The system scans an area of each printed sheet and compares it with a master sample selected by the customer.

If during the printing process the colour begins to drift from the limits set by the customer, integrated alarm functions notify the operator of defect trends to help quickly identify and correct the cause. The system also provides statistical information to support process control.

The KromaKing systems installed in the Crabtree equipment will include proprietary LED based solid state lighting and optics, an intuitive touch screen user interface and NEMA rated industrial enclosures.

May 22 2007