Pakistan-based Vision Foods & Packaging has expanded its folding carton finishing capabilities with BOBST NOVACUT 106 E die-cutters and a NOVAFOLD 80 A2 folder-gluer, adding capacity across two critical post-press stages as the Lahore converter targets higher throughput, consistent carton quality and shorter production lead times.
Vision Foods & Packaging has strengthened its folding carton production platform at its integrated manufacturing facility in Lahore, Pakistan, with the installation of BOBST NOVACUT 106 E die-cutters and a NOVAFOLD 80 A2 folder-gluer.
The investment expands two key stages downstream of offset printing — die-cutting and folding-gluing — giving the converter additional capacity to process printed sheets into finished cartons while supporting production efficiency, repeatability and faster turnaround.
Established in 2016 by Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali Anjum, Chairman of SM Foods Group, Vision Foods & Packaging began as a greenfield project at Sundar Industrial Estate in Lahore. Initially established to provide backward integration for the group’s packaging requirements through an offset packaging operation, the company has since developed into a broader folding carton supplier serving SM Foods Group alongside external customers.
Its 142,000 sq ft integrated manufacturing facility brings together prepress, plate-making, offset printing, die-cutting, hot-foil stamping and folding-gluing, with particular expertise in cartons for bakery, confectionery and chocolate applications.
Expanding the folding carton finishing workflow
Die-cutting and folding-gluing are decisive stages in folding carton production, translating printed board into accurately cut, creased, folded and glued packs ready for packing operations. Their productivity and consistency directly influence overall plant throughput, carton geometry and the converter’s ability to maintain delivery schedules as order volumes increase.
Vision Foods & Packaging said its latest investment responds to growing production requirements in a competitive Pakistani packaging market, where converters are managing higher raw-material and energy costs alongside tighter lead times and customer expectations for consistent packaging quality.
“Reliable equipment, consistent quality, and shorter lead times are critical to our success. BOBST has been a trusted partner for many years, and this investment will further strengthen our ability to deliver greater value to our customers,” says Muhammad Amer Iqbal, General Manager, Vision Foods & Packaging.
The NOVACUT 106 E additions increase the company’s die-cutting capacity, while the NOVAFOLD 80 A2 extends its folding and gluing capability. Positioned after printing in the production chain, the equipment strengthens the conversion of printed board into finished folding cartons and adds capacity at stages that can determine the speed and consistency of the overall manufacturing workflow.
The machines complement Vision Foods & Packaging’s existing printing, die-cutting, automatic hot-foil stamping and folder-gluing equipment, reinforcing an integrated production model in which the principal stages of carton manufacture are managed within the Lahore facility.
“We trust the reliability and service from BOBST,” says Iqbal.
Combining equipment investment with operator skills
The capacity expansion has also been accompanied by operator training. BOBST engineers provided installation and training support to Vision Foods & Packaging’s production personnel, helping operators integrate the equipment into the existing carton converting workflow.
“We have received comprehensive training from BOBST engineers, who came for the machine installation and training,” says Iqbal.
For a folding carton operation, additional machinery alone does not determine productivity. Effective machine setup, operating discipline and process knowledge are important to achieving repeatable output and extracting consistent performance from die-cutting and folding-gluing equipment.
Vision Foods & Packaging expects the combination of additional post-press capacity, operator development and service support to help it accommodate increasing production requirements while strengthening its position in Pakistan’s folding carton market. The company also sees the investment as supporting its longer-term ambitions in export markets.
“We expect to gain more market share with the reliable equipment we have purchased from BOBST,” adds Iqbal.
Khaled Joundi, Regional Business Director, MET & Pakistan at BOBST, says: “We are proud to support Vision Foods & Packaging on its growth journey with solutions that deliver the reliability, consistency, and performance required in today’s demanding market.”
With prepress, offset printing, die-cutting, embellishment and folding-gluing integrated at its Lahore operation, the latest investment strengthens Vision Foods & Packaging’s post-press platform and its ability to manage the folding carton production chain from printed sheet through to finished carton.