Inkjet & Digital Printing
Another UK installation for Jet Press 720S
Monday 13. February 2017 - Fujifilm announces that Suffolk-based commercial printer Kingfisher Press, which produces a huge range of high quality print products across multiple sectors, has purchased a Jet Press 720S, Fujifilms high-quality B2 format inkjet press. The investment will significantly boost Kingfishers ability to take on quality short-run work.
“Weve been looking closely at the advances in digital printing technology for some time,” says one of the companys co-directors Jon Doidge. “But until now we hadnt seen a platform that we felt offered quality at a level that justified the cost of investment. Thats all changed with the Jet Press 720S, which we think is about to blow away its closest competitors.”
A visit to drupa 2016 opened the eyes of the Kingfisher team to the machines capabilities. “We went to drupa with no fixed plan to buy any specific kit,” explains Doidges business partner, and company founder, Paul Tomlin. “While there, in looking at all of our options, we decided that we had three choices as to how to proceed: we could buy nothing and continue as we were, running the risk that our competitors would start to leave us behind; we could invest in a new litho press, which would offer us a slight improvement in speed and quality; or we could invest in a Jet Press 720S and open up a whole new revenue stream. When we looked at it like that, it wasnt a difficult decision.”
“We have multiple small accounts who currently dont even ask us to quote on much of their short run work,” Doidge adds. “Until now we just havent had the capability to compete for short run, high quality work – and given current trends this sort of work is going to become an increasingly large part of the overall marketplace. Run lengths will keep coming down as people dont want their money tied up in stock and they like the flexibility of being able to make modifications and amends between runs. Then theres the benefit of personalisation – another major string to our bow that the Jet Press will provide. Its not just an extra piece of kit, its a gateway to a whole new revenue stream for us, both with existing customers and new ones. Well send a lot of our short-run litho work there – freeing up space to do more, longer runs on those presses – and at the same time well be able to pitch for new customers we couldnt have approached in the past. Weve mentioned the investment to many of our existing customers already and theyre as excited as we are!”
Says Keith Dalton, Managing Director of Fujifilm Graphic Systems UK: “Weve been thoroughly impressed with the forward-thinking approach that Kingfisher Press is pursuing with this investment. Too many printers are missing out on the opportunity to revolutionise their businesses and enter new markets. Fujifilm has proven that it has the technology and the market knowledge to help them to do this, and we will soon be announcing a not-to-be-missed opportunity for UK businesses to see the Jet Press 720S running live demonstrations.”
Kingfishers Jet Press purchase – made at drupa – was followed by extensive building work at its premises in order to be able to accommodate the new machine. The installation will begin at the end of February, as soon as building works are complete.
“Fujifilm has been fantastic through the whole process,” says Tomlin. “Weve been customers of theirs for 15 years now with XMF workflow and CTP systems and their service has always been excellent. Were delighted that were now inkjet partners of theirs as well.”
Dalton concludes: “Were delighted to see yet another Jet Press 720S installation in the UK, adding to nearly 100 now around the world and offering further evidence that, in a challenging marketplace, the Jet Press 720S offers commercial printers an unrivalled means of future-proofing their business and securing new revenue streams.”