Bay Cities is adding a new 4-color EDF rotary die cutter (RDC) line, arriving Summer 2027. The line will print, die cut, break bundles, palletize and strap corrugated packaging in one connected run. For our clients, that means sharper graphics, faster turnaround on club store, boxes, and retail-ready programs, and quicker reorders.
At Bay Cities, we help brands win at retail. Since 1956, we’ve learned that winning on shelf depends on what happens long before a shopper sees your product: how cleanly a box prints, how fast a program ships, and how reliably a reorder comes back. The EDF line is an investment in all three.
What is the EDF RDC line?
The EDF RDC is a rotary die cutter line that prints and cuts corrugated boards in a single pass. A rotary die cutter uses a cylindrical cutting die to cut, score and shape boxes and trays at production speed.
Our new line is a complete system, not a standalone press. It brings these steps together:
- 4-color printing that can be set up while the line is running
- Rotary die cutting compatible with our existing Martin and K-7 cutting dies
- Serra quick die lock system for faster, simpler die changes
- Optional anilox roll configurations for fine-print graphics
- Bundle breaking, automated palletizing and strapping at the end of the line
How will the EDF RDC line benefit Bay Cities clients?
The EDF line is built around one goal: getting your packaging to shelf looking its best, on time, every time. Here’s what that means for your programs.
Sharper print on retail-ready packaging
Shoppers judge a product in seconds, and your packaging is often the first thing they see. With optional anilox roll configurations, the EDF line gives us fine-print capability for crisp graphics on retail-ready packaging and club programs. Your brand shows up cleaner on shelf and on pallet.
Faster turnaround, less downtime
The line’s four print stations can be set up while the line is running. That means no downtime between jobs. The Serra quick die lock system also speeds up die changes, with no more hoops needed on cutting dies. For you, that results in shorter lead times and faster speed to shelf.
Built for club store programs
Club stores expect trays and retail-ready programs that arrive on time and perform in the aisle. The EDF line is made for exactly that kind of work. It gives us the capacity and consistency to support high-visibility club programs from first run to last.
Easier reorders
Retail programs succeed when restocks keep pace with sales. Because the EDF changes over quickly, repeat orders can get back on the line fast. That helps keep product on shelf and keeps the register ringing.
Fewer touches from press to pallet
Printing, die cutting, bundle breaking, palletizing, and strapping all happen on one connected line. Fewer stops between the press and the pallet means fewer touches, fewer delays, and more consistent results from one run to the next. Your finished products leave the line ready to ship.
What will the EDF line produce?
The EDF line is designed for printed corrugated packaging that has to perform at retail, including:
- Printed die cut boxes
- Club store trays and retail-ready programs
- Produce boxes
- Retail-ready boxes and shelf-ready cases
- Recurring packaging programs with regular reorders
Whether it’s a pallet program in a warehouse club or a shelf-ready case in a grocery aisle, the goal is the same: packaging that protects your product, presents your brand, and makes restocking easy.
Why it matters: one retail execution partner, more under one roof
Retail opportunities move quickly and involve many moving parts. Every handoff between vendors adds time, cost, and risk. That’s why Bay Cities connects design, structural engineering, manufacturing, ISTA testing, digital printing, packout, and logistics under one roof.
The EDF line strengthens that integrated model. It adds high-quality printed corrugated production to the same team that already designs, tests, and ships your retail programs. For brands, that means:
- Sharper quality: Fine-print capability for crisp graphics on retail-ready packaging and club programs.
- Faster to shelf: Four-color printing will set up while running, so there’s no downtime between jobs.
- Built for club: Made for the trays and retail-ready programs club stores demand.
- Easy reorders: Repeat orders will get back on the line fast.
- Print to pallet: Printing, die cutting, bundle breaking, palletizing and strapping in one connected production line.
- Boxes built for retail: Printed die cut boxes, produce boxes, retail-ready boxes, shelf-ready cases and recurring packaging.
For more than 70 years, Bay Cities has helped brands navigate retailer requirements and get programs to shelf to win at retail. The EDF line is the next step in that commitment.
FAQ
When will the EDF RDC line be available at Bay Cities?
The EDF RDC line is coming to Bay Cities in Summer 2027.
What is a rotary die cutter (RDC)?
A rotary die cutter is a corrugated converting machine that cuts, scores and shapes boxes using a cylindrical die. Bay Cities’ EDF RDC line also prints in four colors, then breaks bundles, palletizes and straps finished product on the same line.
How will the EDF line help my retail packaging program?
The line offers sharper fine-print graphics, setup while running for less downtime between jobs, and fast die changes for quicker reorders. Together, these help retail-ready and club store programs get to shelf faster and more consistently.
Will my existing cutting dies work on the new line?
The EDF line is compatible with Martin and K-7 tooling, and its Serra quick die lock system means no more hoops are needed on cutting dies.
What types of packaging will the EDF line produce?
Printed die cut boxes, club store trays, produce boxes, retail-ready boxes, shelf-ready cases, and recurring packaging programs.
Is the EDF line part of a larger Bay Cities offering?
Yes. The EDF line joins Bay Cities’ in-house design, structural engineering, manufacturing, ISTA testing, digital printing, packout, and logistics, so brands can continue to work with one partner from concept to shelf.
Plan your next retail program with Bay Cities
The EDF line arrives Summer 2027, and now is the time to plan the programs that will run on it. Whether you’re preparing a club store launch, refreshing shelf-ready cases, or building a recurring packaging program, our team can help you get ready.
Contact Bay Cities to talk with a packaging expert about how the EDF line can help your brand win at retail.
