US-based TPC Printing and Packaging has invested in new printing facilities to strengthen its capabilities after the company experienced its highest ever sales in 2014.

Founded in 1924, TPC Printing & Packaging produces custom folding cartons and promotional packaging for cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, spirits products. The company has invested in a 41in, 8-color KBA Rapida 105 printing press as part of a program to maintain business growth.

With the addition of the new 8-color KBA Rapida, the firm’s press inventory includes two 8-color, one 6-color, one 2-color and two silkscreen presses. The Rapida will be replacing the 6-color non-KBA press, while it will continue to operate its existing 8- and 2-color non-KBA presses.

Joseph Schmissrauter, President of TPC Printing & Packaging said, “There are a number of key distinctions that differentiate our company from our competitors, with 95 percent of our sales derived from a select niche market – producing specialty decorated, shaped and printed folded cartons for the retail shelf – for a group of world-class consumer retailers and well-known brand names in the distilled spirits, over-the-counter pharmaceutical, cosmetic, fragrance, and health and beauty industries that sit in the first or second position of their segment.

“These firms require highly-decorated, highly-visible packaging with extensive printing processes calling for eight to nine machine passes through value-added processes. Our sterling reputation of providing unique packaging services over these 90-plus years is to supply our customers with first-rate, unique promotional packaging to support their brands in the market.

“The on-going trend in our industry has been to produce shorter run length jobs. Our challenge is to reduce our make-ready times and thus turn our jobs around much faster.”

TPC Printing & Packaging’s new KBA Rapida 105 features full UV capabilities and an in-line coater, along with board and plastic packages. It is also equipped with full automation including plate changing and specially-equipped board and plastic packages, to allow it to better handle MPE and plastics printing, plus KBA’s ErgoTronic ColorControl automatic color measuring system.

TPC Printing & Packaging’s Rapida 105 press is equipped with a cartridge-based complete UV drying system, meaning it can move the UV system around on the press where it is needed.