AEP Group to install W&H OPTIMEX II film line, relies on W&H CI-flexo printing presses

French flexible-packaging printer / converter AEP Group, based in Saint-Pal-de-Mons in Haute-Loire, has a strategic focus on highly technical and state-of-the-art production. Its latest-generation machinery, combined with an ERP that covers all the company's processes, allows AEP to manage all its industrial processes much more efficiently and in real time: traceability, production monitoring, analysis is what defines its daily work.

Today, Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. is a major contributor to the AEP Group's printing business. In fact, out of a fleet of eight flexo presses, five are W&H machines (above). "Investing in several W&H flexo presses has allowed us to grow rapidly and be at the forefront of technology in our business. The reliability of the W&H machines has allowed us to develop with greater peace of mind," explains Hubert Quincelet, CEO and owner of AEP. AEP's W&H fleet includes four 8-color MIRAFLEX and one 8-color PRIMAFLEX.

The latest acquisition (the MIRAFLEX) started up in November 2023 in AEP's second printing facility built in March 2021. To allow smooth processes from the start, the operator team received in-depth training at the AEP site to get familiar with the specific features and developments.

On the extrusion side, the AEP Group has traditionally worked with other partners. When visiting W&H headquarters in February 2023, Hubert and Charles Quincelet were in the process of looking for a long-term partner for their extrusion business. With the strategic vision to build an even stronger extrusion business, it was critical for them to find a partner with the same mindset and values, backed by excellent technical equipment and service. During their stay at the new W&H technical center for extrusion and printing, there was ample time to discuss technical and business alignment. As a result, AEP will integrate a W&H machine to its machine park: a 3-layer OPTIMEX II will be installed in May 2024.