The company already owned two Nipson 7000s, but needed to boost throughput and was persuaded by the higher resolution of the new-generation machine. One of the 7000s, a 15-year-old model, will be decommissioned following the installation of the new DigiFlex.
The machine was chosen to meet growing demand for personalised documents. The DigiFlex not only runs 50% faster than the older model but improved dust extraction and air cooling systems also increase the machine’s productivity.
Finishing manager Craig Barnett said: “Minimal operator training was required, and the increased speed and quality will see us close to doubling the output of the machine it replaced.”
The Birmingham-based printer was the first cheque-printing business to be accredited to the then-APACS standard, but as cheque use has declined A1 has turned to other types of secure and personalised document printing.
Today cheques account for just 15% of its revenues, with the remainder attributed to products such as certificates, gift vouchers, visas, vehicle licences, exam papers, parking permits and government documents. It can print 1D and 2D barcodes.
Marketing manager Michael Kelly said A1 considered a number of inkjet and toner-based systems, and surprised itself by returning to a Nipson.
“None of the inkjet technologies we looked at were able to cope with the suite of products that we produce,” he said. "We therefore narrowed our search to toner-based devices, but even most of these fused at temperatures that were too high for the complex substrates and security features that were required."
As well as running at a lower fusing temperature than competitive products, the Nipson also offered a smaller footprint. A1 was also swayed by the continuity that came with operator familiarity with the system as well as the fact that the DIGIFlex is approved for cheque E13B codeline creation, giving C&CCC accredited cheque printers an alternative process for some of their cheque manufacturing.
The security printer turns over £7.2m a year and employs 70 staff. Last year it also boosted its sheet-fed digital capacity with a Xerox Versant 2100 and upgraded its Muller Martini Grapha web press, increasing the number of units from four to six.
It rebranded from A1 Trade Print in mid-2015 to better reflect its security printing credentials, and last year celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The company is part of MCAARP Holdings, which also owns Integrity Print. MCAARP acquired the A1 business in 2011.
