Pindar has stunned the web offset sector by purchasing a second 48pp web.

Installation of the four-unit Lithoman IV will begin in April, and the press is scheduled to be up and running by mid-August. The firm ordered its first Lithoman IV at Ipex 98, and it was installed at the beginning of 1999.

Pindar announced the 5m investment to staff at its Scarborough plant this week. Around 65% of the plants work is catalogues.

"This is a big decision, but weve been keeping a constant eye on our order book and trading performance and have seen quarterly improvements for two years," said chief executive Andrew Dalton.

"It would be foolhardy to say it hasnt been tough, and there is a lot of pressure. But people still want quality and service when printed matter is critical to a clients business they have to take a management decision. If a company produces one [printed] product a year and its not up to standard, perhaps because theyve bought on price alone, then they are stuffed for 12 months of sales and they regret it."

Dalton acknowledged that pressure from customers and the prospect of securing larger contracts had also played a part in the decision. "There is an element of that, because some customers were saying you only have one large press. This gives us resilience, contingency, and faster turnaround."

PPS web sales director Norman Revill said: "This will surprise one or two people, but its a very calculated investment. It puts Pindar at the forefront of technology in Europe and opens new markets for them.

"Im delighted as its the first web sale since my return to PPS, and Im expecting one or two more this year."

The new Lithoman is fitted with a Megtec dryer and integrated afterburner. It will replace a 16pp Heidelberg M600, making Pindar an all-Roland web house. Its installation will have a knock-on effect on the bindery, which is space-constrained. "We are looking at ways and opportunities to expand it," Dalton added.

Story by Jo Francis