Business News
Positive Images makes positive move and expands its litho portfolio
Friday 22. October 2010 - The Mitcham based family run company which has seen growth from its recent investment in digital and online technology, has now placed an order for the latest Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75-5+L, a B2 five colour press with an online coater.
It will be delivered and installed to Positive Images UK’s 25,000 sq ft factory based in Mitcham in November 2010, this will be the star of the company’s open day in February.
The additional rather than replacement kit gives this established company a fourth Heidelberg litho press, enabling it to add to the capacity and functionality it can offer to its large retail, leisure, council and other business to business clients.
Positive Images managing director Danny Sullivan says: “Positive Images have seen like for like annual sales revenue jump by 49% compared to the same period in 2009, this has enabled PI to continue to invest and expand to meet and exceed client’s expectations”.
Pi runs its litho equipment in tandem with a comprehensive Online Ordering System, digital printing, wide format portfolio and full finishing department (cut fold stitch), fulfilment and direct mail operations.
“Litho has a strong future, colour digital has limitations and is expensive for large volume work,” says Simon Reed Business Development Manager. “The XL 75-5+L, and especially the coater unit will allow our clients to take advantage of the faster turnarounds times and the cost effect and eye catching combination of matt and gloss drip off varnish which can be used to produce innovative and unique designs on printed material.”
Positive Images have embraced Heidelbergs ISO 12647 colour management scheme for printing and proofing devices, which it will integrate into its existing colour management systems. As a business Positive Images also stands to gain from the much greater efficiency of todays press technology. The very fast plate changing and presetting technology means it is looking at 10 minute make readies and reducing waste to 100 sheets, giving them a competitive edge in reducing overall job costs which is essential in today’s market.
It has also invested in the Pressroom Manager workflow option and has taken on Heidelberg as the consumables supplier to ensure the press is maintained in pristine condition and continues to produce the high quality output their clients have grown to expect.
The company plans to marry up its production workflow with a Shuttleworth MIS system, meaning faster order to production speeds and better data feedback on work in progress or completed jobs.
Earlier this year the company added a Polar 92XT, Stahl Knife Unit and Rap 4 proofing system from Screen following a visit to Ipex.