The Newcastle-upon-Tyne company has used Heidelberg's Prinect Manager to replace an existing Screen Trueflow workflow, a move it claimed has improved automation at the 80-staff business.

Despite shifting its workflow supplier, James Dark, joint managing director at Statex Colourprint, said disruption at the commercial printer was kept to a minimum during the brief transition process.

"Moving to Heidelberg was the logical next step for us and the right fit for our pressroom," he said.

The all-Heidelberg house, which runs 10- and five-colour B2 presses, as well as five- and two-colour presses, has also become more efficient by moving to the JDF-based workflow.

According to joint managing director Graham Minett, to move to Prinect represents a shift to closed-loop production and single-supplier sourcing for the commercial printer.

He said: "Suddenly, we realised that closed-loop production could be a reality, seamlessly integrating our pre-press and press with an integrated solution.

"It was easier to use and eliminated a lot of time consuming elements. It was much more automated."

In addition to improving its ability to monitor print quality, the company said the software provided feedback on both dot gain and dot loss, which helped reduce the level of on-press adjustments it had to make.

The £6.5m turnover printer now sources 90% of its consumables from Heidelberg, including Saphira chemistry-free plates, inks and other printroom products.

Despite a previous hesitance to rely on a single supplier, Minett said that the reliability and consistency of sourcing materials from the German manufacturer has benefited the business.

"Normally, no one likes change, but this investment has had a really positive impact on our business and our team and we are now confident of our plate and ink reliability and consistency," added Minett.