IGT Systems : In many companies, the IGT printability tester is often used for one test method only. This is a waste of resources because on most of our testers many more tests can be performed.

An Interview from Mr.Anne Van Baardewijk, Commercial Director, IGT Systems.

“We are here to support R&D and monitoring of quality aspects in order to avoid unnecessary consumption of raw materials and waste”

Paper Desk : Could you let us know about IGT System’s profile?

Anne Van Baardewijk : Research, development and production of print-ability testing equipment and tack testing instruments for the paper, ink, graphic, electronics, security, plastics, paints, and coatings industry worldwide.

PD : What are your vision & mission for paper industry?

AV : Mission :

• Serving the paper, ink and graphic industry worldwide with high quality, innovative printability testers and related products and/or services
• To support R&D and monitoring of quality aspects in order to avoid unnecessary consumption of raw materials and waste

Vision :

• Continuously developing new test methods and innovative, inventive printability testers that contribute to higher quality and less waste
• Serving the market from IGT’s own offices together with agents or direct customer groups
• With products and services that securely analyse, report, qualify and exchange data with other quality systems in the area of printability
• Our goal is to achieve optimal synergy with our colleagues, agents, customers and suppliers

Values :

• Dedicated
• Competent
• Reliable
• Innovative
• Respect

PD : What are all the equipment you manufacture for the pulp & paper industry?

AV : IGT Amsterdam multi-purpose printability tester along with High Speed Inking Unit, IGT LintView tester to be able to test paper for tendency of loose fibres during production, IGT SizeOscope to determine the sizing of paper, board, and barrier coatings.

PD : How special are your fully automated printability testers?

AV : Configurations, that are focused on R&D, with a set of different test methods, as well as instruments intended for Quality Control. The extensive, automated test methods prevent the user from making mistakes and variations in results therefore are minimized.

PD : Any of your Amsterdam printability testers are enabled to do online analysis to meet ISO 3783 standards?

AV : Installed base of AIC2-5T2000 and the next generation Amsterdam family.

PD : IGT offers any Cobb testers for light structured thin material to thick paper board combined?

AV : A range from EasyCobb with handgrip to Cobb Tester SFT 03t standard or Cobb Tester SFT 03t 22 up to 22 mm.

“The extensive, automated test methods prevent the user from making mistakes and variations in results therefore are minimized”

PD : Do you manufacture any device for bank notes testing?

AV : We offer IGT TackOscope to measure the tack of paste ink or varnish, NBS Crumpling device consists of an apparatus for rolling the paper sample and a device in which the rolled paper is crumpled under a fixed pressure, NBS Automated to eliminate the variation in applied pressure. Moreover, various test methods for IGT Amsterdam e.g. Intaglio printing.

PD : How important is QC for equipment manufacturing company and what parameters do you follow to assure the quality of your products?

AV : After assembly IGT testers are functionally assessed, calibrated, and laboratory approved.

“We work with 72 representatives around the world with many of them authorized to perform maintenance and calibration”

PD : Challenges or similar you face in Indian Market?

AV : Copycats, inferior cheaper alternatives

PD : Could you explain us about your environmental management policies?

AV : Under development: Solar power, energy saving e.g powering off laboratory air conditioning during weekends, less (plane) travelling etc.

PD : Your goal in the industry?

AV : Our target is to have an IGT Printability Tester in every Paper mill, Ink factory, and Graphical industry.

PD : How are your after-sales-service networks in various parts of the country?

AV : We work with 72 representatives around the world with many of them authorized to perform maintenance and calibration.

In India our Sole Representative is

ELOF HANSSON (INDIA) PVT.LTD

ASHOK TOWERS , 2nd FLOOR, No. 45, K.B.DASAN ROAD, TEYNAMPET, CHENNAI 600018, INDIA

PD : What is special about your maintenance & calibration?

AV : As most advanced technical equipment also IGT testers need regular maintenance. Some testers also need calibration to be in conformance with the different standards.

If you would like to receive more information on this, please be informed to forward us the serialnumbers of your IGT equipment.

IGT provides different types of maintenance services.

In Almere, The Netherlands, in the local IGT branch offices in the USA, Singapore and Japan, all maintenance work can be done. Some testers will however have to come to Amsterdam for some special work for which there are special tools required. 

Many things can be done also on site with the customer, calibration, preventive maintenance and small repairs. This is preferably done in combination with a number of customers to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

PD : Do you have maintenance plans?

AV : We offer a range of maintenance plans to meet your needs:

Contract Service : An annual charge provides for all parts and labour needed to keep your IGT equipment in excellent working condition. Both on-site and depot contracts are available.

If available in your area, it is also possible to take part in an IGT Service Tour. This way the traveling costs will be kept to a minimum as it will be borne by more than one customer. These service tours are already taking place in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Greece, Morocco, Poland, Turkey and the USA.

Time and Materials Service : Calibration, regular maintenance and/or repairs, either on-site or in depot. All time and materials are for the account of the customer. and/or repairs, either on-site or in depot. All time and materials are for the account of the customer.

PD : Being an equipment manufacturer to pulp & paper industry, what is your suggestion to the Industry to make the paper more sustainable?

AV : The way to operate more sustainable is to use IGT Testing Systems in R&D and QC in order to avoid unnecessary consumption of raw materials and waste

PD : Being an overseas company, how do you see the growth of Indian paper industry in future?

AV : We have seen a steady growth over the years, with increasing consumption of e.g. tissue and packaging the future is bright together with our partner Elof Hansson.

PD : Any other news you want to share with us?

AV : We have visually updated our corporate identity and launched our brand-new website, to show that IGT Testing Systems is future proof.

While our technology consistently evolves, we introduce IGT Connect,

The online platform to which every new generation of IGT Printability testers can be connected, with the aim of one management and service Dashboard for:

• Central management of users assigned with roles and custom permissions, streamline settings and management of profiles. Eliminate manual export of analysis data of tests performed. Real-time signalling system to manager. End-to-end fleet connection with sites in a group, safely through intranet Information exchange between linked devices, send commands remotely from your computer.
• Report of individually performed tests, analyse tests performed on different devises and visualize results sourced from multiple sites
• Remote support has time and money saving advantages, for Calibration – monitor status of calibration. Receive software updates for new features and bug fixes for optimal device performance!
• Connection with external Customer Relation Management system

“The online platform to which every new generation of IGT Printability testers can be connected, with the aim of one management and service Dashboard”