VENUS II MEETS EU INITIATIVE AND GIVES ARCOTRADE COMPETITIVE EDGE

The machine will be used to meet increased production capacity at the company’s facility in Varna and enable it to convert a wider range of substrates including self-adhesive paper, films, foils and laminates.

Established in 2006, Arcotrade is the official representative of ARCONVERT S.p.A Italy and supplies slit reels to printers in Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania.

Elaborating on the purchase, Managing Director, Hristina Vrangelova says, “In 2008 we invested in semi-automatic slitting and rewinding technology in order to provide a better service to customers. Business was increasing and in 2010 we applied for EU financing in order to purchase a new, fully automatic slitter rewinder to enable us to offer a better quality product and attract more customers. This was a lengthy process under an EU initiative aimed at the regional development of the Bulgarian economy. Soma met all the necessary requirements and won the order based on both technical capability and economics. The result is the installation of the VENUS II which has given us the edge over our many competitors enabling us to retain existing customers as well as gain new ones.”

“The fact that we have won this order in the face of strong competition and stringent EU requirements regarding finance and technology is hugely significant for us and we are delighted to have been the supplier of choice.” adds Patrik Vejrek, Soma area manager. “Our slitting systems are designed to be easy to operate and keep job change-overs and set-up to a minimum. The operators at Arcotrade appreciate the ease with which heavy rolls can be changed and the automated technology of the machine.”

The Venus II is a high performance servo driven machine designed for high speeds up to 700m/min. and is equipped with automatic tension control. Features include automatic knife and laser core positioning

, intuitive touch screen controls and web holding system for ease of operation and splicing. As well as meeting increased production capacity at Arcotrade the machine expands the range of materials that can be offered. It has also enabled the company to become a reliable industry partner offering both fast service and a high quality product. “We are in a region that has been deprived of good service and logistics and this installation makes us a preferred partner for printers in the locations we serve

,” explains Vrangelova. “By offering a better quality and wider range of products with 48 hour deliveries, our customers also benefit theirs. The difficult economic situation in Bulgaria supported our decision to invest in a new machine and also means our customers can decrease their stocks and become more efficient.”

Arcotrade currently runs an eight hour day shift on the Venus II and plans to increase this to two a day in the future. The company currently has nine employees and turned over 1

,200,000 Euros in 2011. “We are extremely happy with the machine which is a logical move in our strategic development plans,” concludes Vrangelova. “We have confidence in Soma’s intelligent engineering solutions, technical service and professionalism. This together with its high quality value for money price ratio makes Soma an excellent business partner for our future investment plans.”