John Price invests in a third Komori for Bilston

Birmingham-based John Price Printers has added a third Komori to its Bilston plant after buying a five- colour Lithrone S29 with coater.

The company's owner Giro Group, consolidated all its printing operations at John Price 14 months ago, doubling its turnover. The new press joins a five-colour Komori 528 and a four-colour S29.

Giro managing director Javed Sarwar said: "We have established that there are substantial opportu- nities regionally and nationally to further increase our print turnover, and we have set ourselves a target of at least 15% additional turnover the next year. "The purchase of the extra Lithrone will allow us to maintain the impetus of our recent growth."

John Price general manager David Harris said that much of its recent increase in work has been short-turnaround colour jobs for local councils, national authorities and design agencies.

"The new Lithrone's fast change- over times, coupled with Komori K-Station and Tharstern MIS, will increase our production flexibility and fast-response capabilities."

The printer is the biggest B2 user in the area and Komori sales man- ager Steve Turner said the S29, which can be seen on Komori's stand (6/B520), replaced three older Komoris.

"[The owner] visited us on the stand to tell us how it would help him rationalise the business. We will definitely be winning some more business at the show," he added.