Igb (Industrie Grafiche Bressan) is one of the most renowned manufacturers of pharmaceutical folding cartons in Italy, well known for both its production quality and its innovation: in 2018, Igb was awarded the Oscar della Stampa as the Best Technology Innovator. The company is very much a family affair and has been growing very quickly, driven by a lean manufacturing management approach. Originally founded by Dino Bressan during the 1960s, Igb is now managed by his three children. We spoke to one of them – Alessio Bressan, the CEO of Igb – about what differentiates the company and how their partnership with BOBST gives them an extra competitive advantage.

Driven by innovation
“Igb is a little bit different to most manufacturers: we innovate as well as produce  packaging that responds to our clients’ specific needs,” explained Alessio. “We have a specialist R&D department, which has so far filed more than 100 new patent applications. Some of these innovations already have the potential to be truly groundbreaking. For example, we have developed Tamper Evident and Child Resistant folding boxes, which can be processed on standard packaging lines. ”On February 9, 2019, the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD - Dir. 2011/62/EU) on anticounterfeiting came into force. This means that pharmaceutical products in Europe require tamper evident cartons. Glue is not considered as an accepted anticounterfeiting solution for pharmaceutical cartons, while cases sealed with labels are complex and expensive to pack. Igb’s solution has no glue, requires no change in the packaging processes of pharmaceutical companies, is environmentally friendly, and completely fulfils the needs of the FMD. It’s a very lean and green solution, and several world-leading pharma companies have already chosen this product to ensure they are ready for the FMD.Meanwhile, Igb has also developed and mass-produced an innovative Child Resistant folding box that looks like a regular folding box, but has a locking system with a key. Sales are growing quickly for this product both in Europe and in the US. “These innovations are representative of Igb’s approach,” said Alessio. “We look to the future to understand what challenges our customers will face, we assess the shortcomings of current approaches and we find completely innovative solutions. Igb is a problem solver and solution provider as well as a service provider, and we are always actively looking for new ways to improve the service to our customers even further.”

Igb and BOBST: a meeting of minds
Folding cartons are the core business of Igb and it is imperative that they have the most advanced folder-gluers available. This is where BOBST comes in. BOBST is one of the leading suppliers of equipment and services to packaging and label manufacturers in the folding carton, corrugated board and flexible materials industries. It has worked closely with Igb since the 1980s, when under Dino Bressan, the Italian company transformed and added cardboard processing to its printing activities. It has recently invested in its latest BOBST folder-gluer – EXPERTFOLD 110 with GYROBOX.

“After analyzing various solutions on the market, the quality of EXPERTFOLD 110 was the best,” said Alessio. “The tests carried out on the machine were very satisfactory as they allowed us to reach high production speeds. Another determining factor – which competitors cannot offer – is the in-line quality controls. With EXPERTFOLD 110 quality inspection is possible during the production phase.”

EXPERTFOLD 110 is an extremely versatile folder-gluer. Also available in 50 and 80 cm widths, the wide choice of modules available allows manufacturers to produce an impressive number of box styles – from small pharma and general food cartons, to large cartons made from litho-laminates – in a wide range of materials at speeds of up to 450 meters per minute.

EXPERTFOLD is easy to operate, and allows users to simultaneously carry out other in-line processes, such as Braille embossing with ACCUBRAILLE and quality inspection with ACCUCHECK, making it ideally suited for the pharmaceutical market.

GYROBOX: Enabling next-level flexibility
Now available on EXPERTFOLD 110, GYROBOX revolutionizes the production of complex boxes. Rotating blanks in line between two folding processes, it allows for the rapid folding-gluing of complicated boxes in one single pass. As well as speeding up the production process and boosting its efficiency, GYROBOX also delivers exceptional finished product quality. These are key reasons why lgb decided to invest in this new solution. 

“EXPERTFOLD with GYROBOX is the answer to our needs,” explained Alessio. “The creativity of our Research and Development department requires a system capable of working with any type of folding and gluing system. We really benefit from the flexibility this system offers, as well as its high production rates and precision on technologically complex products.”

Alessio highlighted the importance of the set-up – the installation and the training – to maximizing the benefits of innovations like EXPERTFOLD 110 with GYROBOX.

“With assistance from BOBST, we invested a lot of time and attention into the installation and training,” he said. “This way we are sure we know all the technical details to enable us to achieve the high performance allowed by this technology. There was great teamwork between our technicians and BOBST’s technicians to make this happen. The machine provides the level of quality and productivity that our products require.”

This is just the latest example of the successful working relationship between Igb and BOBST – two innovators, always looking for the next big thing to provide a competitive edge for their customers.

About BOBST

We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of substrate processing, printing and converting equipment and services for the label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated industries.

Founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst in Lausanne, Switzerland, BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 14 production facilities in 8 countries and employs more than 5 600 people around the world. The firm recorded a consolidated turnover of CHF 1 635 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.