With over three decades of experience, Express Packaging has been delivering customized primary and secondary packaging solutions for a broad range of global brands. Throughout many years, the company has relied on Domino equipment, and they are currently impressed with the performance of Domino’s latest continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer—the Ax350i.
Precision is paramount at Express Packaging. “We are SQF Level 3 audited, the highest quality standard for handling open food products. However, it’s equally essential that codes are legible on the packages for the clients we serve and the customers purchasing the products,” emphasizes Express Packaging President Fred Hartzler. “And we trust only Domino for that!”
“It [the Ax350i] saves us money, runs faster, and provides clearer print. We’ve worked with other suppliers in the past, but none have matched the production output of a Domino printer,” states President Fred Hartzler.
Express Packaging, an award-winning contract packaging service provider catering to global brands like Nestlé, Kraft, Hershey, and more, specializes in various techniques, including pouching, cartoning, shrink-wrapping, and label printing. Operating with around 500 employees across its Chicago and Ohio locations, the company runs 10-20 food packaging lines per shift and utilizes over 50 Domino systems, including case coders and CIJ printers like the new Ax350i, across four plants.
Referring to the Ax350i, Mr. Hartzler expresses, “Even though we were content with our existing setup, we were eager to try the new product. Every time Domino introduces something new, we find it to be superior to what we’re currently using. This new printer has proven to be exactly that.”
One notable aspect of the Ax350i highlighted by Mr. Hartzler is its compatibility with touch screens, a feature familiar to their operators from other equipment. The seamless transition allowed for quick training on adjusting code dates, taking just a few minutes, according to Dan Crone, Project and Maintenance Manager at Express Packaging.
Facing the challenges of high volume, high speeds, and demanding schedules, Express Packaging relies on printers that can endure the rigors of the food industry. The Ax350i addresses this need by utilizing the new and highly reliable i-Pulse inks. These advanced inks, tailored for the most challenging applications, maintain adherence even after rigorous post-print processes like retort (sterilization) and blast freezing. They deliver high-contrast, long-lasting codes suitable for direct food contact.
