(UPM Helsinki, 15 October 2010) – The UPM Paster Mate, a tool that improves the efficiency of a gravure press, was awarded the Innovation Prize at the 2010 European Publication Gravure Awards. The award ceremony was held on 27 September in Zurich, Switzerland, during the Annual Conference of the European Rotogravure Association.
The UPM Paster Mate allows splicing tape to be used across the whole width of the web, improving quality and reliability. The quality of a splice is very important factor for a successful roll change, because even the slightest unevenness can result in missed pasters and web breaks. "With UPM Paster Mate the splice can be prepared evenly across the whole web width, including under the belts, with tape using protection", explains Erik Ohls, Technical Sales Director from UPM.
The UPM Paster Mate was originally developed by Veli-Pekka Johansson, Production Engineer from Helprint and has been further developed with UPM's Technical Sales function. The UPM Paster Mate has been in use at Helprint in Finland since 2007 and is installed on three press lines. The latest installation of the system is being piloted at Didier Mary sur Marne in France.
Panu Torniainen, Production Manager from Helprint says: "With the UPM Paster Mate ribbon breaks have decreased massively, the web is steadier during the paster cycle and less waste is produced. On the whole UPM Paster Mate has made the work much easier at both the paster and across the entire press".
There were several categories in the competition and according to ERA the Innovation Prize had eight entries from both suppliers and printers – more than have been entered for several years.
"The UPM Paster Mate is a great example of successful cooperation between UPM and printers. It contains all the elements of a good innovation; out-of-the-box approach, cooperation and testing with customers, not giving up and finally putting it into practice. I am very proud of the Technical Sales team for this achievement", says Kari Ylönen, Head of Marketing from UPM.
The European Publication Gravure Award is jointly organised by the European Rotogravure Association and the Eurographic Press, the association of leading trade journals for the graphic arts industry in sixteen European countries.
For further information please contact:
Mr Erik Ohls, Technical Sales Director, UPM, Paper Business Group, tel. +358 20 415 0442
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 23,000 people and it has production plants in 15 countries. In 2009, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 7.7 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upmbiofore.com and www.upm.com
