Page 60 - Print21 March-April 2020

Revolution in Print
Forty years
This April marks the fortieth year in business for Hilton Laminating. This family owned and operated business is looking forward to supporting the print finishing industry for many to years to come.
of Hilton laminating
Hilton Laminating was established back in 1980 to serve a niche market selling small laminating machines and
consumables. Forty years on from the company’s humble beginnings, Hilton Laminating has expanded to provide innovative laminating and binding solutions for printers and digital copy centres.
The last forty years have made
way to some significant changes
for Hilton Laminating and the laminating industry. Company founder and director John Peck notes that, “The growth of the digital printer has been the biggest change. With the variety of print machines and toners used we must take a personalised approach with each printer, ensuring the are using the correct film and machine settings for optimal results.”
As such, Hilton has always taken
a technical approach to laminating, even coining the term ‘laminologist’, to demonstrate its knowledge and how it prides itself on understanding the trade.
and film has been the most pivotal reason we are still here today, we don’t just sell laminating film and equipment, we pass on our knowledge and understanding”, says Peck.
Hilton’s biggest turning point came in 2006 when the widely popular Lamiglazer machine was introduced to the market. This manual-feed cello laminating machine was installed in 700 print operations across Australia, and along with the Lamiglazer film, gave printers finishing control over their work.
“We will always aim to stay ahead of laminating innovation and deliver it to the Australian market.”
– company founder and director John Peck
Since 1994, Hilton has maintained relationships with D&K America, and from 2010, D&K Europe. Hilton has always focused on quality, D&K Europe has always been a good fit, aligning quality and innovation.
It was through the ongoing relationship with D&K Europe
that Hilton was able to introduce successful laminating systems such
Foundations to serve the industry for many years: Hilton Laminating founder John Peck (right) with staff from customer Eckersley
and promote in-house laminating to its customers. These Laminating systems were ideal for those using the smaller manual Lamiglazer units, and who ready to move up and automate the process.
From 1997, Hilton introduced re-rolling and slitting of laminating which is still in motion today. Peck says, “Having the option to provide customers with any size film, any width, and on any core was a great feature to ensure we always put the needs of our customers first.”
This approach to supplying film was an effective one allowing Hilton to have control over the film and adjust according to what the market required.
Hilton values quality and innovation and have always searched for both, “I am definitely excited for the upcoming drupa trade show, it
is always beneficial to see where the laminating industry is heading”,
says Peck.
In 2016 Hilton introduced
heat transfer foiling to its range
of products, and last year finally perfected the process with the Super Starglazer 380, which ticks all the boxes for an easy foiling process.
This year, Hilton Laminating introduced the latest in heat technology, with the new Galaxy range, promoting the use of Induction Electromagnetic heating in the fully automatic models. Peck says, “Heating issues have always been problematic for laminating, heat and pressure is instrumental in a successful finish and these systems have both,
we are excited.”
Induction heating aside, these fully
automatic systems come standard with large diameter chrome and nip rollers delivering large amounts of pressure, assisting with the constant heat distribution for a perfect finish.
Hilton has installed various models in the range, the latest of which is the SW-560 for well-known printing company Eckersley in Queensland. This pallet to pallet machine has induction heating, and operates at speeds of up to 60 metres per minute.
So with a heritage stretching back four decades what is in store for the next forty years? Peck says, “We will always aim to stay ahead of laminating innovation and deliver it to the Australian market. As we are a family business, we know that Hilton has the foundations to serve to printing industry for many years to come.” 21
(l-r) Kevin Smith, Andrew Condie, and director
Luke Eckersley
From 1986 to 1994 Hilton
manufactured its own equipment,
some still in circulation today.
“Understanding laminating machines as the Europa and the Neptune,
60 Print21 MARCH/APRIL 2020