There are a lot of different Folder-Gluer manufacturers across the world and each company has its own strengths and weaknesses. With that being said, we broke down the three manufacturers that Bamco feels were the best in the industry. This list was based on; how often we see them/work on them. their content marketing, how widespread they are internationally, and how they innovated in the industry.

1) Heidelberg

This company, formerly Jagenberg, has been around for more than 170 years. This is a large company with 11,300 employees at 250 production sites located in 170 countries around the globe. 2019/2020 was a big financial year for them because they did 2.35 billion euros in sales and currently hold a market share of about 40% in the sheet-fed offset presses.

One thing that we have to give Heidelberg props for is their content marketing in the modern digital age. To start they have a major social media standing with multiple Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Linkedin pages. All of which, have taken a stance on being an educator and thought leader within their industry. If that wasn’t enough, they have a postcast, host webinars, have a customer magazine, and so much more. Every company should take a page out of their book on content marketing.

These guys, like the others in this list, are extremely versatile. Not only do they provide finishing machines but they also provide printing machines making it a one stop shop. They have all sorts of printing options such as; digital printing, offset printing (ink is transferred from plate to rubber blanket to printing surface), narrow web printing (uses the Gallus system to take orders through the web for just-in-time printing), screen printing (when high coverage/attention to detail/special reliefs/scented coatings/”no label” look is needed), inline-flexo printing (prints and die cuts in one pass), and more. Their finishing machines include; cutters where POLAR series includes high speed cutters, die-cutters and embossing where they offer rotary and flatbed die-cutters like the Speedmaster XL 106-DD and MK Masterwork respectively, folding systems that can have camera systems, gluing, and cutting devises added inspection systems, carton folder-gluers, and hot foil stamping. With all of that being said, they still offer digital platforms, services, training, remote services, and anything else needed to make your paper converting operation to run smoothly. Lastly, they also offer an automated carton packing machine in the Japack Pro.

These guys obviously took the number one spot for many reasons. This is because, not only can you purchase everything you would need for a folder-gluer operation, but they offer everything you would need to educate yourself on the process.

2) Bobst

If you are familiar with this industry, you will know that Bobst is a household name when it comes to Folder-gluers. We consider this company “Best In Class” because these machines are sold worldwide, are dependable, and are used in many different parts of the packaging industry. This Swiss company was founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst. Bobst has been making folder-gluers since 1942 with their first model the PCR 382. There are currently 14 production facilities in 8 different countries. Bobst had a big year previously with sales around 1.372 billion dollars but has the goal of boosting this sales up to

What makes these machines so versatile is the different sections that can be added to the folder-gluer. One example is the cartonpack. There has been four different models of the cartonpack over the years which have used various belt styles and types. This is used to fill shipping containers with folded and glued cartons, in turn, reducing costs and increasing productivity. These carton packs can accurately fill shipping containers as fast as 200,000 boxes per hour. Another example of the company being versatile was with the invention of the GYROBOX. The GYROBOX was the first device that could turn a blank 90 degrees to fold and glue all four sides in one pass. Previously, this would’ve been done in two passes which slowed down the process. Now, since we are belt guys, you know we have to give the belt specs on the GYROBOX. This machine uses two kinds of ZS-15PSS gyro belts. There are two that are 20mm x 3340mm and four that are 20mm x 3760mm. No matter what kinds of folds you are trying to do, manual or automated, Bobst has something for it. The prebreker, pre-breaks the creases of blanks for easier folding. From there, the machine’s crash-lock module folds the flaps of automatic crash-lock bottom cartons. This can be done conventionally, with hooks, or with hook free technology. There can also be combifolders of 4/6 corner devices that use rotating folding hooks to fold the flaps of multi-point cartons. Lastly, these machines can be augmented with a lot of options such as; specialized feeders, packers, and robot palletizers.

3) American International Machinery, Inc. (A.I.M)

A.I.M, like the others in this list, provides at thorough and complete package of products and services for the paperboard and corrugated converting industry. A.I.M’s team consists of sales engineers, operator trainers, machinists, welders, electricians, rebuilder’s, repair part specialists, and installation experts. Keep this in mind, it will be important later. A.I.M likes to focus on new machinery, used machinery, product support, and other services such as leasing, parts disposal, and marketing. They are headquartered in Wisconsin and have revenue around 5 million a year. On top of their signature folder gluers (for both carton and corrugated), they also sell supplemental equipment to reduce operator fatigue. This includes print inspection systems, carton packs, pre-feeders, inlet spotters, and more.

Now let’s talk about why A.I.M is on our “Best in Class” list. A.I.M is a lot like us. It’s an American, second generation, family owned company with less than 25 employees. This story is very similar to our own which you can see here on our “Who We Are” Page. They spotlight their employees on their blog and write blogs commemorating the passing of current and past employees. All company’s should take a note out of their book on how to make employees part of the family.

The second reason why this company is on our list is their services offered for used machines. A lot of paper converting companies do not want to or can’t afford to replace the machines they have, especially when running a smaller operation. Most folder gluer manufacturers within the industry only offer basic maintenance or sell replacements, however A.I.M goes a lot farther than that. When it comes to used folder gluers, they will; buy, sell, appraise, rebuild, repair maintain, and remove old machines (despite the brand). Their ability to do this comes from employees with a diverse skillset. This gives them the ability to make replacement parts based only on a picture and location of the part on the machine (once again, despite the brand). They also market surplus equipment and dispose of surplus parts.

The last reason that we are throwing them on this list is the stance that they take within the industry. Like Heidelberg, they take an educational stance in their blog. Not all of the blog posts are set up like this but you can find several showing new innovations in the industry. Lastly, they have lubrication checklists, tech tips, and other free material to make sure that customers are knowledgeable about the machines that they are running.

Whether you are; big or small, looking for new equipment or used, maintaining or selling, or in access to extra parts, these guys have something for you.

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