Mark Andy Celebrates 75 Years in the Label and Packaging Industry
The US-based label press manufacturer turns 75 this year as the company continues to innovate the world of flexo and digital solutions
When Mark Andrews, Sr. built his first tape press in his workshop in Missouri, USA, in 1946, he certainly could not have expected what 75 years into the future would look like: tens of thousands of Mark Andy machines in operation around the world, an extensive portfolio of narrow web equipment, a leader in digital hybrid technology and more.
On the inception of Mark Andy, Inc., Roy Webb, Sales Manager, explains, “Mark would build these basic tape printers in his basement or garage one at a time. As soon as one was sold, and he had money to buy materials he’d build another. It was kind of a hand-to-mouth existence.” Much has changed over the last eight decades, and the one-time garage operation transitioned to Chesterfield, Missouri, just 15 minutes from its original home in Kirkwood, in a 100,000-square foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in 1979.
"Mark Andy's priority has always been to guide and follow customer expectations and a marketplace that is constantly changing,” details PJ Desai, Chief Executive Officer. The first milestone on this path was the introduction of the machine Mark Andy 2200 in 1990, which continues to sell successfully in the United States. The next noteworthy solution manifested in 2009: the creation of the Performance Series platform, which – with its quick change and high print quality – almost immediately won over label and packaging professionals around the world and is still a high-demand for pressrooms internationally.
A turning point for the company’s long-term footprint in the label and packaging industry emerged with the manufacturer’s introduction of digital hybrid machines over the last decade. The configurable portfolio of which currently includes Digital Pro, Digital Series HD and Digital iQ. These significant strides for the betterment of hybrid technology industry-wide have paved the way for satisfying the market and customer expectations when it comes to technology evolution.
And with the strategic additions of various divisions under the Mark Andy, Inc. umbrella over the years, including Presstek, Mark Andy Print Products, Rotoflex and more, the manufacturer continues to position itself as a full-service, total solutions partner for their customers.
Today, the company has a well-established global presence, employing over 450 people around the world, with facilities in the US, Canada, Poland and the UK, as well as an extensive network of global service technicians. and is represented in more than 60 different countries. The pioneering spirit is still intrinsic to the company’s DNA, which is highlighted by the recent opening of a fully equipped showroom facility for in-person and online demos that complements its unique Test Lab facility that was launched in 2020.
Desai concludes, noting that "We are convinced that the growth of our customers will also ensure the growth of our company, something we will work hard on over the next few years, based on our 75 years of experience and knowledge we have while offering our customers as much support as possible. This, in addition to the technologically advanced machines in our portfolio that can meet the diverse needs of label stock manufacturers – will continue to differentiate us in the label and packaging industry”
Photo caption: Mark Andy's tape press in 1946