Up2Speed Printing and Packaging was founded in Florida, USA, in 2003. CEO Jorge Carmenate reflects on the company's journey:

"My career began as a press operator, and I spent nearly 20 years managing printing operations on the production floor. After meeting my wife, we decided to take a bold step and start our own business. We began in our home garage with a hand-cranked cutter and a tabletop folder. In 2014, recognizing the growing potential of the packaging market, I invested in a folder-gluer. This enabled us to establish an integrated in-house production system covering everything from die-cutting to folding and gluing, allowing us to enter the packaging business. Around that time, we installed our first 26-inch Komori press."

Achieving Significant Results Through Advanced Press Technology

Lithrone G40 advance

To support the growth of its packaging business, the company recently installed the Lithrone G40 advance. Commenting on the new press and its impact, Mr. Carmenate says:

"Although it has only been a short time since installation, the Lithrone G40 advance is already contributing to our company's growth. Our customers are primarily in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, all of which require strict quality standards. For this reason, we have obtained certifications such as G7, FSC, and SED (secure data provider). Komori presses play a vital role in helping us consistently maintain the quality and reliability our customers expect.

By fully utilizing the capabilities of this press, we have increased productivity by 80%. Makeready time for six-color jobs has been reduced to one-third of what it was previously. We have also achieved a substantial reduction in paper waste, decreasing the number of test sheets required by approximately 80%.

The PQA-S (Print Quality Assessment System) has become an essential tool for our operation. In addition to automatic color control, it detects print defects and helps ensure consistent quality throughout production. The feeder is also equipped with a sheet numbering function that assigns a unique serial number to every sheet. When PQA-S detects a defect, it identifies the exact sheet number where the issue occurred, allowing operators to remove only the affected sheets and deliver defect-free products to customers.

Left: Mass-produced packaging, Right: Office Building

The introduction of LED-UV inks was initially a challenge for us. While we had extensive experience with conventional UV printing, LED-UV technology was new to our team. However, we quickly experienced the advantages of its superior curing performance. Because printed sheets can move directly to the next process, we can seamlessly proceed to finishing operations such as die-cutting, gluing, cutting, and folding, significantly shortening overall production time."

A Lasting Impression from the Installation

"During the installation, the Komori team worked efficiently and professionally. Every member of the team demonstrated a high level of expertise, and everything--from installation and adjustment to start-up--was completed according to schedule. Looking back, I sometimes wish we had the Lithrone G40 advance when we first started the company 20 years ago. It would have allowed us to operate more efficiently and accelerate our growth from a much earlier stage," he said with a smile.

Customer-Focused Operations and the Launch of New Services

"When customers contact us, we make every effort to respond immediately. Not only our employees, but also my wife and I personally answer the phone. We always strive to provide the answers our customers need as quickly as possible--not the next day, not even an hour later, but within minutes. That commitment helps us meet our customers' expectations and provide the level of service they deserve."

Regarding future plans, he adds:
"We have a clear five-year vision. In addition to our current die-cutting, folding, and gluing capabilities, we are considering the introduction of foil stamping equipment. We also plan to strengthen our laminating capabilities and expand into new areas, including rigid boxes and premium corrugated packaging. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead."