News

Blumer, the innovative manufacturer of the ICMA Award winning CCS-310 has announced a dramatic increase in production versatility. The CCS-310 has already gained worldwide acceptance from renowned card manufactures for producing the highest edge quality in demanding card materials such as polycarbonate (PC). With the introduction of a new male-female cutting tool, the Blumer CCS-310 combines two punching technologies to provide the highest level of quality and versatility in the market today. The use of PC and other complex mixed materials is increasing dramatically as the requirements for identity and security cards, including passports, becomes more stringent. As manufacturers use the CCS-310 to establish the bench mark for edge quality and cutting accuracy, they also increase their lead over the competition. In this demanding market, there is no substitute for the Swiss engineering and quality that is the trademark of Blumer products. The CCS-310 incorporates advanced technologies from various cutting applications. While a laser positioning system guarantees pinpoint placement of sheets, the smooth, quiet and vibration free cutting mechanism cuts rather than sheers cards for the optimum result. By cutting card stock simultaneously from both sides all types of materials can be cut with the same tool, the result is a significantly reduced inventory of cutting tools and costs are noticeably lowered. The introduction of the male-female tooling gives the CCS-310 the versatility to cost effectively handle large runs of PVC materials. There is no doubt that the right tool for the job insures greater utilization of the equipment and the ability to meet the ever increasing demands of a market that is always changing. The CCS-310 was engineered to allow safe and fast tool change over. Setup is aided by software specifically developed to recognize what type of tool is in use and final tool positioning is automatic. Also, the knife crowns have been enhanced, guaranteeing longer life. Crowns can be resharpened up to ten times. The CCS-310 holds to what the Swiss machine producer Blumer AG already promises in their slogan: Versatility in Tooling... means no Limit in Materials.

One World – One Drupa – One Blumer. The world’s leading provider of complete solutions in the label and card processing sector is famous for its innovative drive. At this year’s print and paper trade fair Drupa , the Swiss machine manufacturer was working with the Spanish firm Kmec to demonstrate how you can get from the printed roll to banded stacks of labels with “no hands”. This fully-automated complete solution means that some of the previously vital cutting processes are no longer necessary. Blumer also presented a fully-automated strip cross-cutter for large format and all-round labels for the very first time. All those interested in label and card processing had written a visit to the Blumer stand A23 in Hall 6 firmly into their trade fair diary. Once again, the market leader in punching, cutting and banding was bringing comprehensive solutions for all budgets. Sheet offset solutions were the focus of the last trade fair; this time, Blumer was concentrating on fully-automated processes from the roll phase on. There was a live demonstration of a complete solution in which the Label CS roll cross-cutter from Kmec operates together with the two Blumer machines, Atlas 1110-LS and Atlas 40 inline. They make it possible to punch and band labels directly from the roll in one single step. The roll cross-cutter cuts, counts, presses, turns and automatically transfers the stacked strips to the Atlas 1110-LS for punching and banding. This innovative solution means that several time-consuming and cost-intensive steps, to date common practice, are now no longer needed. The entire process is automatic and can be easily monitored. All the usual label materials can be processed, from paper to plastic. Manual feed is still possible for sheet-fed offset printing as is the case for all Blumer machines. The brand new Atlas 40 was also sure to spark great interest. This fully-automated strip cross-cutter with a banding unit deals with cutting large format labels (jar labels etc.) and provides an impressively user-friendly way to process heavy stacks of label strips. Although it was being presented at the Drupa in public for the first time, the machine is already in use with one customer. The company was also using the trade fair to present two basic models for small and large formats. “Space restrictions at the Drupa mean that we can merely demonstrate the range of the possibilities and solutions we offer” explains Blumer Sales Manager Rolf Manser. “Yet thanks to our broad know-how, quite unique in its scope, we can still find the ideal solution for each customer”.

With this column, readers get to know selected ICMA members better. This issue’s interview is with Rolf Manser, vice president of sales for Blumer. Rolf is responsible for the worldwide sales for Blumer. In addition to the sales responsibility he is also responsible for the After Sales Service. This is quite unusual for the industry; however this kind of set-up serves Blumer well, because the reaction time is much shorter in most cases. In addition to his position at Blumer Switzerland, Rolf is also on the Board of Blumer (USA) Inc. and Blumer Asia Pacific. Blumer is a small family owned Swiss manufacturing firm, with over one hundred years of experience as a machine manufacturer and has developed a reputation for uncompromised excellence in product, service and support. They are recognized as the world leader in label die cutting, straight cutting and banding equipment. That same expertise has contributed to their innovative systems for both high volume and high value cards. Their ability to process materials from Polycarbonate to laminated paper results from their unique approach to cutting cards, which is establishing a new standard for quantity and quality. Further Blumer looks to develop lasting relationships with their customers that allow them to grow, prosper and benefit from the appropriate application of technology. When Rolf first entered the industry, he started with sales in various trading products for the printing and packaging industry. After only a few years he got the chance to change to international sales and was responsible for the eastern European market. In 1996, he made a bold move and relocated his whole family to the US in order to start up their own sales, marketing and service company in the United States. After his return in 2000, he got promoted to the actual position at Blumer Switzerland. Eight years ago, Blumer had a brilliant revelation when they realized that the machine range designed for label production would be ideal for scratch, loyalty and gift cards. Within a short period they were able to sell a significant number of fully and semi automated machines into the market. The achieved performance combined with the edge quality and their expertise in punching was the apparent reason they were being approached by leading European card manufacturers to develop a solution capable to cut Polycarbonate and other difficult to handle material combination. Over the course of Rolf’s highly successful career in the card industry, one particular accomplishment remains the highlight of his career; the successful start up of Blumer (USA) Inc. From the beginning Blumer’s operation in the US was profitable and capable to build up a profound customer base in America. Blumer also put a great deal of effort into the after sales service, and feels pride that their US operation is currently being managed by an American. “To be involved in the launch of the CCS 310 Card Cutting System was certainly another milestone for the company as well as for me personally. To see that because of a new technology we were able to set new standards in the industry makes us very proud,” Rolf commented on another career milestone. Blumer’s products continue to set industry standards, as in just the past year they brought two new and innovative products into the market that were sold before they left the design department. They accredit this successful introduction to their industry reputation and previous record of accomplishments. “It’s always a highlight whenever you sell the first machine into a new market. This was once again the case when we received an order for multiple machines for Iran, a machine for Sudan as well as two automated line for the Caribbean,” said Rolf. Being a small technology provider in the large arena of global business, Blumer is constantly adapting to change. Recently, Blumer has been doing more direct business in order to serve the customer more efficiently. This has caused significant changes in some areas of their sales channels. Blumer hopes the end result will financially benefit their customers, who appreciate the individual attention. “Every day is full of risks… I don’t even count them any more. I trust that people who are not willing to carry a certain portion of risk shouldn’t be in a management position. Of course it’s also the job of the management to be careful with this topic and to minimize it whenever possible,” said Rolf. Blumer has been an ICMA member since 2003. Blumer is also an active Member of ELMA (European Association for the wet Glue Labelling Industry) as well as the LPIA (Label Printing Industry of America), as the label industry is also very important for them. Since joining ICMA, Rolf has attended every annual EXPO, as well as the European Academy Workshops. Rolf particularly enjoys the EXPO and exhibits as he feels they are an ideal platform to show, share and discuss the latest developments with the specialized audience. Blumer reaps the benefits of ICMA membership and especially appreciates all the networking opportunities. They were able to meet a lot of the key industry people at ICMA events within a short period. This was very important for Blumer since they were new in the card business. “It’s a great platform to meet customers, and other suppliers. Such a change of views, scheduled on a regular basis, is certainly beneficial for everybody involved in the industry,” said Rolf. “My first one was the EXPO in Cancun. Certainly an unforgettable conference and a good experience to meet potential customers in a great and relaxing environment,” said Rolf about his favourite ICMA event. Rolf was born in the beautiful area of Lake Zurich, Switzerland. He currently resides in downtown Zurich in order to be close to the factory and airport, as he has a demanding travel schedule. A fanatical skier, Rolf rejuvenates from a busy travelling schedule outdoors. Rolf enjoys skiing un-groomed terrain or free ride areas, mountain biking, climbing and trekking. Rolf’s latest trek was Kilimanjaro and he is setting his sights on even higher mountains in Nepal and hopes to achieve this goal by the end of the year. Rolf applies his “going to the edge motto” to his personal life as well as business.

Interview with Rolf Manser in CardsNow Asia, Issue March/April 2007.

COT Caribbean Graphics is one of the leading printing houses of the Caribbean and puts its trust in the precision job done by the highly efficient label punching machine Atlas 1110 LS. The cooperation between Blumer and this company shows once more that tailored customer care is also possible in exotic destinations.

Interview with Rolf Manser in CardsNow Asia

As a company with nearly 110 years of history we are used to anniversaries. Remarkable is, however, that 16 of our 52 employees are celebrating between 5 and 40 years of Blumer-membership this year. To ensure that the works doesn't come to a standstill as a result of all the laughter and merriment we bundle things and engage in the festivities on two half days only. On both these dates we «knock off work» at twelve noon, sit together in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy music, food and drinks while clinking our glasses to our long-standing colleagues. Both concept and organization are in the care of those celebrating.

Visit us at All in Print China 2006, hall W2, booth D107

Visit us at Grafitalia 2006, hall 11, booth C05

Visit us at IPEX 2006, hall 1, booth 01-G35

Visit us on the 7th International Label Conference in Bad Gastein / Austria.