Post-press

Polywrapping specialist Priority Newstrade and Mailing is looking to increase turnover and attract new work following a seven-figure investment.

The Salisbury-based company has invested £1.1m in two new Sitma W18 enclosing lines and five new Domino inkjet addressing modules.

Priority’s W18s are the first to be commissioned in the UK. The first machine has been up and running for
several weeks, while the second machine was due to begin operating yesterday (June 20).

The two new machines replace two Sitmas installed in 1995. There are also two other wrapping lines operating in the factory – the company can handle up to 3m items each week.

Priority’s new investment has enabled the £3m turn­over company to increase selective inserting and
bring in side sealing and header bands.

The machines have also mechanised many processes that would previously have been done by hand, such as the addition of handles.

Terry Turner, managing director at Priority, said: “Side seal is always an attractive option, but side seal with a header band and a handle is innovative. We think it could be taken up by the news trade in a big way.”

As well as improving what it can offer its newsstand publishing customers, it is also now looking to bring in more direct mail work.

Paul Butcher, director and general manager, said: “Every time you put something like this in, you want to improve turnover. But we also want to be in a stronger place to attract selective mail work in.”

Priority Newstrade and Mailing started up in 1989 and employs around 70 staff.