Total solution in shrink packaging

BASED in Taiwan, Allen Plastic Industries Co., Ltd has positioned itself as a producer and exporter of affordable shrink packaging materials and efficient equipment. In this interview, Kenneth Wang, general manager of Allen Plastic, explains the growth in the market and how the company has been adapting to market changes since it started some 35 years ago.

Kenneth Wang, general manager of Allen Plastic Industries

FMJE: Allen Plastic has been in the business for quite some time. Please describe the market (for shrink film, labels and equipment) has developed since the company first started.
Since shrink film and label have been available for decades and remain very important in the packaging market nowadays, the change and growth [in these categories] have advanced the packaging business to another level. Take for example, clear shrink film for packaging. People used to regard this only as a final protection for their valuable goods.  However, when the printed shrink sleeve made its first appearance on the market, it not only attracted attention, but became a promotional tool for the product at the same time.  This trend has also led to the improvement of converting machinery. The evolution of shrinkable material and machinery has reshaped our concept of packaging and has become an important value-added item for final products.  As a result the packaging machinery business is also much more prosperous and competitive.

FMJE: Tell us how Allen Plastic is evolving to meet demand for shrink sleeves.
Allen Plastic Industries was founded in 1980 which was a very great time to develop shrink film and we’ve built great reputation in this industry for decades.  Yet we found the market changed and the demand for shrink film shifted to printed shrink sleeve because this offers products a wonderful and more unique look when viewed on store shelves.  For that reason, we established rotogravure printing lines and also converting lines for making printed shrink sleeves and fulfill the market’s need. 

We did achieve great success in building business relationships with customers from over 40 countries from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, America and Europe.  Indeed it is very difficult to compete with other companies elsewhere.  But we still maintain our faith and keep a closer eye on the market.

FMJE: What have you learned from these relationships?
Through years of observation seeing the market change, we found it was time to complete our idea of a total solution for shrink sleeves.  We started our sleeving machine manufacture and explored different markets with our steady, economic and easy-to-operate sleeving machine.  We have great confidence in our sleeving machine as we’ve noticed and experienced the great demand from the market.  We are ready and prepared for this new challenge.

FMJE: Does the food & beverage sector account for a large part of your business?
There is an old saying: “Food is the first necessity of the people”. It is surely the largest part of our business.  So for food and beverage suppliers, our printed shrink sleeve will be a great plus for product promotion. The shrink sleeve could be an advertisement but also a convenient method for packaging. 

The demand is especially very strong in the summer time.  The demand for all kinds beverages especially water, also increases from the end of spring to early fall.  The demand for food and beverage is also comparatively stable as compared to other industries since it is a daily requirement, so even a financial crisis will have limited impact.  Thus growth in this industry helps in the growth of the shrink film and sleeve market tremendously and to our business.

FMJE: Which amongst your products did well in the past year?
Of course the printed shrink sleeve and sleeving machine.  As we expect and estimate, the demand for the printed shrink sleeve is further increasing since people are looking for a new way of promote their products at point of sale.  Printed shrink sleeve is the best choice among various shrinkable packaging materials. 

We also received much attention for our shrink sleeve in the past year as a result of our market target and pricing strategy.  We did get a great balance between demand and supply; moreover, our sleeving machine is now more popularity among buyers.  It is a great start and we are positive expectation for this newly booming item.

FMJE: Labels, shrink sleeves – these help retailers sell products at point-of-sale. Can you tell us more on the printing process you use?
We have rotogravure printing lines for seven colours printing and nine colours which is capable of all kinds of design for printing.  One of the benefits of shrink sleeves is that these are waterproof.  The ink will not be damaged by acid or water so these are durable.  All designs are customised so customers can convey their ideas about their products through these small shrink sleeves.  The shiny and glittery look of sleeves is very different from normal paper labels.  Most important of all, a sleeve could fit a container no matter what kind of shape.  As long as there is a container, we can apply a shrink sleeve on it and reveal your product’s unique shape design.  Shrink sleeves is a perfect solution for packaging.

FMJE: Please tell us about the features on your shrink label equipment. What are its capabilities?
The slitting machine is for slitting all types of material such as cellophane, PVC, PET, CPP, OPP, PE, PS, paper film, both in plain and printed.  It can be used for slitting counterfeit-proof labels on computers, electronics, computer and optical materials, film roll and foil roll.

The sealing machine is designed for the production of poly bags (centre sealing) and colour PVC, PET, OPS, PLA (middle gluing) shrink labels. A main drive AC motor provides variable speeds to accommodate a variety of materials.  It is also easy to operate and maintain. The cutting machine is a specially designed to provide outstanding performance.  It is suitable for poly bag bottom sealing and cutting, and PVC shrink film, paper and various plastic sheet cutting. The re-winding and doctoring machine creates extremely neat edges through an automatic tension controller and web guiding system.  It has an optional stroboscope light to printing quality check which helps instant vision conservation.

FMJE: Will customers see new products/upgraded equipment in 2015? Please tell us more about what may be in store for buyers.
Automatic sleeving machine is our main product in 2015.  Our customers come first, so we make sure to develop easy to operate, durable and economic models.  We regard our machine with great quality as U.S and European brands and economic price to meet most market’s expectation and compete in the world which varies from minute to minute. 

In addition, there are some more specialised features about our machine. First of all, the machine is easy adjustment and operation which means it comes with simple HMI touch screen control and advanced input devices. Second, it’s easy maintenance because our machine is no lubrication required. Third, strong construction which means we offer customer the most satisfied of material quality. Fourth, various production range and capacity which mean our machine also support additional versatility for production. Fifth, variety of applications which means our machine can be supported variety label position on different bottle. At the end, performance guarantee which means our machine is come with strong performance guarantee.

As above we said, our machine is flexible usage, low costing for operation, save time and money for packing, parts and accessories are easy to get and replace, and the most important part is easy to operate by every user.

Automatic Sleeving Machine