The business was previously based at an 84sqm facility in the Wembley Park area and has now more than tripled its space after relocating in September to its new 279sqm leased site in a more industrial part of Wembley.
Apprintable managing director Peter Haddad told Printweek: “We couldn’t fit any more equipment into the old place, we were pretty stacked over there and wanted new equipment and more space to grow.
“The new site is incredible, everything works so much better when you’ve got space to actually operate. In fact – for now – we’ve even got too much space and we’re moving machines closer to each other.
“Before it was very much if we wanted to add something we had to figure out what we could shift around and squash together just to make it fit. But now we’ve got the room to do it, it’s about improving space, optimising our workflow, and making sure that we get jobs in and out very quickly.”
The company has also installed a Xerox Versant 280 digital press, to replace a Ricoh Pro C5300s that has been retained as backup, and a VeloBlade 64+ digital die-cutter from Vivid Laminating Technologies.
Installed in August and supplied by ASL, Haddad said the Versant 280 was bought to improve speed of output and quality, while the VeloBlade 64+, which was installed two days after the business arrived at its new site, was a replacement for a Graphtec F-Mark Plus digital die-cutter that has been retained as backup for detailing work.
The VeloBlade 64+ has enhanced speed for the company, with “productivity three or four times greater”. A tape applicator purchased with the device means the business can now finish by machine products like hotel keycard wallets, coffee cup sleeves, and folders that it used to tape by hand.
The latest investments and site move cost the business just over £80,000 in total.
Earlier this year the business took on a Morgana laminator 450 Pro to bring laminating in-house and expand its capabilities. It also runs an Aerocut Prime from Morgana, which arrived around a year ago, and a Canny P50 automatic strapping machine.
The eight-staff company, which was established in 2015, mainly serves the hospitality and drinks sectors, and is looking at turnover of around £750,000 for this financial year, also runs an Epson SureColor SC-F2100 direct-to-garment printer with a heat press and pre-treatment machine, purchased at the start of 2021.
Other recent investments have included an Easycoat gluing system supplied by Vivid Laminating Technologies, an Oki Pro A3 white toner printer from Amaya UK, and a Sawgrass SG1000 A3 printer that was supplied by The Magic Touch.
Finally, the company has just taken on Ankita Saxena as its new full-time product manager, to boost its e-commerce activity “far beyond where it is now”.
“We want to speed up quoting and estimating, and for Ankita to focus on developing our website,” Haddad said.
Two more staff are likely to join in January, with the business looking to add a production apprentice and a marketing co-ordinator.
