With all the market consolidation in the narrow web sector, it’s refreshing to come across a label converter that is an efficient and effective operation, and contentedly independent.

Impact Labelling Systems, based in Limerick, Ireland, was established by Richard and Deirdre Fox in 1995 and their son Evan took over as Managing Director in 2020.  Located in what can only be described as a vertical factory, which has a small footprint but is spread over four floors maximising every inch, the company has built its niche business on Mark Andy flexo technology.

Beginning with 820 and 830 presses before moving on to twin 2200 models, the company now operates two Performance Series, a P3 and a P5, which Mr. Fox describes as the ideal operator’s machine.  “For us, and I know many others, the Performance Series sets the benchmark for narrow web flexo production.  They are tough, reliable and deliver premium quality with the minimum of fuss.  Mark Andy has been the foundation of our business and the P3 and P5 are our bread and butter,” he commented.

As the only Irish-owned family-run narrow web converter in the country’s mid-west region, Impact is now one of Ireland’s largest independent label manufacturers, which Mr. Fox says gives the company a significant advantage in the short run fast turnaround market predominantly in the medical, pharma and electronics sectors, where run lengths are typically quite short. 

“Many of our customers see us as an extension of their company, like an outside department, and use us as a kind of test-bed for R&D.  We are well-prepared for this, having developed unique in-house production techniques over the years,” he explained.  With a customer portfolio of 500 and an average lead-time of around four days, Mr. Fox is proud of the level of service his team offers.  “We must be good at it because our top five customers have been with us for almost 20 years!”

During the global material shortages of 2020/21, Impact’s proud boast is that it never missed a delivery deadline.  “We had a small fortune tied up in materials that we’d had the foresight to buy ahead, but the business was never over-stretched, and all our customers were kept supplied, which in the medical and pharma sectors is critical.”

The decision to pursue niche market sectors was made early in the company’s development.  Where volume markets compete on price and often devalue the service on offer, Impact Labelling focuses on quality and accuracy. For this reason, all flexo label production is camera-inspected. The policy clearly pays off, with turnover doubling since 2022 forcing the company to look for larger premises.

“Success has forced our hand, but it’s a good problem to have,” he commented, adding that he has just purchased a neighboring unit with an additional 5,000sq.ft unit.  Currently working single-shift five days a week on the printing presses, there is clearly plenty of production capacity available, though Mr. Fox indicated a need to add another Mark Andy flexo press in 2027, probably an Evolution Series E5.

Of work currently undertaken in the Limerick plant, the split is 50:50 on paper and film substrates, with only a small amount supplied to local customers, and a healthy share going to the UK and the USA.  “Whatever our customers ask, the answer is always ‘yes’ – and then we find a way of doing it – in fact our sales approach has always been ‘what problem can we solve for you’? – and you cannot do that without reliable and flexible machines like the Mark Andy presses.”

One enduring mantra at Impact is the development and maintenance of strong working partnerships, whether it’s with customers for whom zero non-conformity is essential or with suppliers with whom a trust in after sales support is vital.  “We have always valued Mark Andy’s help and guidance and trusted their back-up team.  Combined with our own good  housekeeping, we have a P3 and a P5 that look like new and perform like new.”  The P3 is unique combination of speed and quality designed for simple efficiency with its intuitive operation.  The P5, with its servo-driven platform, is highly productive, offering top quality print, with fast changeovers and reduced waste, even on short run jobs.  Both presses offer precisely what Evan Fox needs to service his portfolio of clients’ work.

Testimony to Impact’s performance are the ISO Quality Assurance standards it holds: 14001, 45001 and 9001. As one of the few label converters in Ireland to have presses dedicated to low migration inks, the company’s safety credentials are assured.  It is also proud of its sustainability efforts to reduce carbon footprint, which led to an Ecovadis Silver Rating in 2023, and the company is aiming for Gold in 2026.  A combination of solar panels, electric vehicles, energy efficient lighting and waste management are well on the way to achieving a 30% carbon footprint reduction by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.

This is where Evan Fox sees the importance of working closely with suppliers and customers and establishing a high degree of trust and transparency.  “We don’t live in a vacuum and all of us need to behave responsibly towards preserving the environment for the future.  With the help of Mark Andy and our other technology suppliers we have made a real difference – this is passed on to our customers and in turn to the consumer who buys the end-product.”

Impact Labelling Systems is a fine example of how beautiful does not need to be big.  What’s needed is a commitment to excellence and good working partnerships.  Speaking for Mark Andy, Sales Manager Antony Cotton stated: “The whole self-adhesive label market was built up on small family businesses.  Impact Labelling Systems is one that has grown and developed in line with changing market demands – in fact  it’s kept itself ahead of the curve, and Mark Andy is delighted to have been a fundamental part of its success – long may it continue!”