Offset Printing
Two press deal sets Statex up for ISO 12647-2 path and growth
Tuesday 12. March 2013 - Company expands its digital business with a Linoprint C 901 from Heidelberg
Increase in productivity by investing in a new Speedmaster XL 75
Equipped with Prinect Inpress Control and AutoPlate makeready times are minimized and closed loop color becomes reality
Statex has commissioned a Speedmaster XL 75 five-colour perfector with dedicated coater and has taken delivery of a Linoprint C901 digital press. Funded by Lombard and with the benefit of a small regional grant, this investment will allow the Newcastle company to enhance its quality and competitive position.
The Speedmaster XL 75 replaces a Speedmaster CD 74-5 and a Speedmaster SM 52-5 but gives the company a net increase in productivity. Armed with Prinect Inpress Control and AutoPlate, the makeready time is minimised and closed loop colour is a reality. With this press in place, Statex plans to undertake the Heidelberg ISO 12647-2 scheme, formalising its colour quality credentials.
The new litho press will run in parallel to, and complement, the company’s existing Speedmaster XL 75-10-P long perfector. The Speedmaster XL 75-5-P+L can handle perfected work and four-colour and seal as well as four- or five-colour and dedicated coating, making it a very flexible machine as well as a high speed and cost competitive solution.
The company is not new to digital production. It retains a Xerox press but a market investigation persuaded it that Heidelberg’s Linoprint was the right direction for the future. “We have visited exhibitions and open houses and we have been really impressed by the Linoprint, its quality and productivity,” says Graham Minett, joint managing director with Jim Dark. “We have chosen to buy the beefier C 901 just as we have gone for the top of the range XL press technology; it just offers that bit more.”
The company has taken on two new experienced digital press minders. They will handle personalised work but also a wide range of short run jobs. The company recognises that substrate, imagery and spend as well as run length impacts on the decision to go digital or litho.
Along with the two press investment, the company has upgraded its Prinect networking. This modular software enables the company to enhance set up times and provides useful management data on which good business decisions can be made.
“Digital quality today really is comparable with litho. I never thought I’d say that but I have found it difficult to tell the two apart after a lifetime in print,” says Graham Minett. “We want people placing work with us in short runs to see the quality and service they get and return to us for their longer run litho jobs.”
Statex is a 24-hour operation that offers print, mailing and management solutions and which prides itself on its eye for detail and calm efficiency.