From left to right: Jon Tardiff, President and CEO; Randy Robbins, Pressroom Manager; Scott Libby (Pressman); Greg Giasson [Pressman in Training], Jordan Woolridge (“Pressman”); Nick Tavernier (“Press Helper”) Jason Baird “Pressman”.
Kennesaw, Ga. – Founded as a commercial printer in 1947, J.S. McCarthy, Augusta (ME) is seeing unprecedented growth in its folding cart business. To keep up with increased production, the company needed a more reliable and fast press. HEIDELBERG recently provided a Speedmaster XL 106. The new XL 106 is the fastest rated sheetfed offset machine in the world and runs at 21,000 sheets/hour. This will be the US’s first installation of this model.
The Fastest Press in the World
J.S. McCarthy has seen “extreme growth” in its folding carton business since deciding to go “all in” with packaging five years ago through $20 million in infrastructure and equipment investments. According to Jon Tardiff, CEO & President of J.S. McCarthy said that they expect a 50% increase of revenue from folding cartons in the next 2 years. J.S. McCarthy, who makes paperboard packaging primarily in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets will be replacing an older, more competitive press with its Speedmaster XL 106 by J.S. Its current press is no longer a “viable back-up” for the company’s 2018 Speedmaster XL 106 that runs 24/7 producing all the company’s folding cartons. “We’re in a position where we basically have one press driving the entire plant. The new XL 106 is going to help us digest all this new growth,” said Tardiff. J.S. will be significantly boosted by the record-breaking speeds of the new XL 106 and its reliability. McCarthy’s throughput, which is essential due to the plant’s space limitations. The company, who recently added onto its plant and is planning another addition for 2023, is looking to the XL 106 to help “get large jobs through the plant as quickly and as productively as possible,” said Tardiff.
HEIDELBERG has recently introduced a faster option for its Speedmaster XL 106 platform. The XL 106 has a printing speed of 21,000 sheets an hour and can produce more than 100 million impressions per year. It is expected to have a higher net output than its 18,000 SPH counterpart. J.S. McCarthy anticipates ramping up its production to 50-70 million impressions, based on its current average run length, within the first year with a goal of reaching the press’s maximum output in the future. HEIDELBERG optimized more than 200 components across the entire system from delivery to feeder in order to achieve faster speeds and greater net output. The improved components and advanced Speedmaster technology, like new intelligent User Experience (UX), autonomous Push-to-Stop technology, and AutoPlate Pro, help to significantly cut down on makeready and waste – contributing to J.S. McCarthy’s overall efficiency and sustainability goals. The press is carbon-neutral. This means that any CO2 emissions generated during press production will be compensated by the purchase of climate protection certificates (Gold Standard). Further sustainability efforts from the company include having its plant 100% wind powered and being FSC® certified.
50% Productivity Gains
J.S. McCarthy first made the switch to HEIDELBERG’s Speedmaster technology in 2018 with the purchase of an XL 106-4+LYY-P+4+L. The machine replaced two older presses of competitive technology and when installed, increased the plant’s productivity by 50%. This machine is only four years old and has already made 200,000,000 impressions. It runs at a top speed of 18,000 sheets an hour. J.S. Tardiff and J.S. McCarthy have been using the Speedmaster since its inception. McCarthy have not looked back: “HEIDELBERG continues to show its overall value through its proven technology and the ‘day in and day out’ productivity we see with the number of sheets to the floor we get every day,” said Tardiff. Due to the higher speeds of the new XL 106 UV model, which will also include Prinect Control, the company expects higher productivity gains after installing it.
About J.S. McCarthy
J.S. McCarthy was founded in 1947. J.S. McCarthy has been providing top-notch customer service, cutting-edge technology and high-quality products since 1947. As one of New England’s oldest and largest commercial printers, the company has been on the forefront of industry innovation, listening to what its customers need and providing them with solutions that make their businesses more successful. J.S. strategically acquires new technology over the years with an eye to quality and meeting customer demand. McCarthy draws on its experience in commercial printing to create high-end carton packaging. Its technology investments are matched by its investment into human resources. J.S. McCarthy is a 100% employee-owned business. This means that each member of the company’s team has a direct interest in customers success.