The digital press was installed and commissioned at the Basingstoke firm during Q1. 

Sales director Malcolm Baker told Printweek: “Print has changed dramatically and today it’s all about personalisation and reducing waste. The AccurioPress is a very versatile device for us.”

The C14000e replaces two older digital presses at the firm and joins four other digital presses alongside extensive enclosing and mailing facilities.

Document Despatch turned to long-standing contact Lewis Annis, professional print and MPS new business sales manager at tech services firm Ethos, for advice on the purchase.

“Together we researched all the equipment and looked at different options. Konica Minolta was the stand-out,” Baker added.

He praised the press for its ability to handle a wide range of paper weights, as well as envelopes, along with “simple operation, superb finish, full-colour calibration, and the ability to produce postcards at 10 times the speed of our previous solution”.

“Within the first 10 days, we produced over 240,000 multi-merged statement packs for our customers.”

The AccurioPress C14000e prints at up to 140ppm for A4 format, and handles substrates up to 450gsm for both simplex and duplex printing. It also has long sheet capabilities.

Baker noted that the just-in-time model resulted in zero waste, without “overs” or “unders”, and also reduced warehousing costs.

“It allows us to be quicker and slicker while reducing waste. Sending a letter economy is still a bargain!” Baker added.

The firm works with a wide range of clients including charities, financial services firms, housing associations and tour operators.

Services include data cleansing, personalised and targeted variable data production, direct mail, and complex mail merges.

Baker said the firm was currently trialling dynamic QR codes that lead to individual engagement pages.

The £3m turnover firm employs 25 and has just boosted its team with the appointment of sales manager Mark Wawman, who joined this week from FCS LaserMail.

“He comes to us with a strong postage knowledge background, and will support our sales initiative,” Baker added.

Annis commented: “This investment will not only support Document Despatch’s current volume targets but also significantly improve turnaround times for their clients.

“Additionally, it provides them with the scalability needed to grow and enhance their production capabilities moving forward.”

Rod Heaton, Konica Minolta PP & IP channel manager, indirect, said that amid a world of digital overload, Document Despatch was “proving that direct mail still packs a punch”.

“They're harnessing the speed of digital print and the precision of variable data to create bold, high-impact mailers that are impossible to ignore.

“Fully personalised and delivered right on time, Malcolm and his team are setting a new standard for standout customer communication.”