Allen Coding Systems used this week's PPMA show to promote a move into the laser and inkjet market through its partnership agreements with Macsa and Hitachi.

The Hertfordshire-based coding equipment supplier will exclusively offer Barcelona-based Macsa's Icon laser coder as an entry-level machine for small character coding.

Macsa's Icon laser coder can print up to eight lines of code, at speeds of up to 500 per minute, on substrates from cartonboard through to glass and metal.

The Icon is designed to compete with inkjet printing and is priced at £9,400 for a single unit, lowered by volume sales.

Allen Coding now also sells Hitachi continuous inkjet printers that can print on to uneven or flexible substrates including food, glass, plastics, metal and rubber.

The Hitachi range starts at under £5,000 for an entry machine and between £5,000 to £9,000 for a mid-range machine.

Both machines were on display at Allen Coding's stand at the PPMA show this week.

Allen Coding specialises in hot foil, laser and thermal transfer coding systems for markets including food, pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetics.