Garlock Printing Expands, Adds W&H Press

Published: March 26, 2014

LINCOLN, RI | Massachusetts-based Garlock Printing is opening operations in Reno, NV. The new facility will house a host of equipment, including a NOVOFLEX CM 10, the company’s first investment in Windmoeller & Hoelscher machinery.

Because of its strong bi-coastal customer base, Garlock decided to have both East and West coast facilities. Reno proved attractive for a handful of reasons, namely tax benefits (proximity to California without the taxes) and easy access to customers in the Northwest and Southwest. The Reno operation will offer the same products and services as in Massachusetts.

Garlock had luck on its side when looking for a site in Reno. They found an existing 50,000-sq-ft building in very good condition that already had insulation and air conditioning, with only minor renovations required to house equipment. In addition, Garlock has already initiated plans for a 60,000-sq-ft expansion of the facility.

The NOVOFLEX currently being installed has a 67-in. working width, accommodates large repeat lengths, and runs at 2,000 fpm. Scheduled to be fully operational by late winter, this pilot press will be joined by up to two additional presses within the year. This is in addition to rewinding, laminating, and pouch equipment being installed in early spring.

Management says, “With the Reno operations, Garlock will become one of the few companies to service the entire flexible packaging market from coast-to-coast. Having two locations enables us to offer our customers shorter lead times with the same top quality they have been receiving and require.”

Garlock opened its doors in Gardner, MA, in 1987 printing primarily tissue paper in partnership with its sister company, Seaman Paper. With over a quarter of a century as the largest domestic printer of custom tissue used in retail and consumer products, Garlock also services the fresh produce, snack food, frozen meat and produce, food service, industrial, and toilet tissue markets. The transition to film in some markets provided Garlock with a natural opportunity for evolution.

The decision to do so has paid off big time. While turnover based on their paper business has remained steady for the past eight years, overall sales for the company have shown double-digit growth—fueled by flexible packaging. Today the company’s capabilities include not only printing, but also lamination, bag and pouch making, sheeting, rewinding, laser perforation, and other specialty converting.

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