Nurturing the next generation of flexo talent

When Edale apprentice engineer, Archie Flatt, was named Future Star at the 2025 FlexoTech Awards, it marked more than personal recognition, it reflected the strength of Edale’s commitment to developing the next generation of print engineers. That is why we spoke with Archie to discuss his win. Read on to find out what he said.

For Archie, the award came as both a surprise and a motivation.

“It feels incredible to win such an award,” he says, “but also inspiring and it makes me want to keep improving, keep bettering myself, and continue giving my best to the industry.”

Just 18 months ago, Archie joined Edale without a clear career path in mind. “Before I joined, I was out of college and had no real goals or aspirations,” he admits. “When I saw the opportunity for a career in something I only knew on the surface level, I was intrigued to see how it all really works.”

That curiosity has since evolved into passion. Today, Archie runs live demonstrations of Edale’s flexo presses, helping customers understand what modern flexo can deliver. “Every day is a new lesson,” he says. “It’s incredible how much innovation goes into making such a huge industry work so well.”

His progress, both technically and personally, is what caught the judges’ attention.
“I think being so young in this industry made me stand out,” Archie reflects. “I often hear that print needs more young people, and I’ve worked hard to prove what’s possible through the progress I’ve made in my apprenticeship, in both theory and hands-on experience.”

Working alongside Edale’s experienced engineers has given Archie a front-row seat to how continuous innovation drives success in flexographic printing. “The exciting thing about Edale’s presses is that they’re constantly improving,” he explains. “Seeing how everyone contributes to making our products the best they can be is amazing.”

Mentorship has also played a major role. Archie credits his mentor, Darron Shimmons, with teaching him the importance of preparation. “He told me from day one that preparation is key, never underestimate the chance of something going wrong. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

Hands-on experience has been equally formative. “It’s eye-opening to see real production environments and the different approaches printers take,” Archie says. “And it’s even more impressive to see the full capabilities of an Edale machine in action.”

When asked about the direction of the industry, Archie doesn’t hesitate. “Automation is definitely the future,” he says. “By focusing on it, operators can reduce downtime, increase output, and shift their attention to quality.” It’s a perspective that reflects a new generation’s mindset, one that values both precision and progress.

For Archie, that future is full of opportunity: “My job is incredibly rewarding. There are amazing chances to meet people, travel, and feel real appreciation for what you do. My advice to other young people is simple; go for it.”

While the Future Star award recognises Archie’s individual achievement, he’s quick to share the credit. “This is the first big achievement I’ve had, and it feels incredible to see my hard work pay off. But I owe so much to the Edale team. From day one, everyone has been so welcoming and willing to help, I wouldn’t have half the knowledge or experience I do without that support.”