The order has a six-month lead time due to the large and complex nature of the machine, and is on track to be installed at the Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire-based company's 5,110sqm site in June.
Surface Print saw an increase in orders in 2021 and its growth has enabled the business to realise its expansion plans.
In order to increase its range and flexibility of manufacturing processes, the company had a requirement for a six-colour hybrid printing machine with both rotary screen and gravure capabilities.
It turned to local manufacturer Emerson and Renwick for the investment, which will also see Surface Print take on around five new staff, joining the current team of 65.
Surface Print managing director James Watson told Printweek: “It was quite an easy decision for us to deal with Emerson and Renwick; when you've got a fantastic wallpaper machine manufacturer based five minutes from you that you've got a close relationship with anyway, you're going to go with them.”
He added the supplier, which it already runs other smaller machines from, has “been amazing” on service and quality, “and we’re all looking forward to getting the new machine installed and commissioned”.
“We currently do every technique apart from rotary screen and gravure and this machine will do both of them at once, so we'll have the full offering of wallpaper techniques. We've previously lost business because we couldn't do these techniques. So this will widen our portfolio of products and our offering so we're a fully equipped beast.”
Surface Print also operates HP wide-format printers, Bradbury Saunders surface presses, and Cobden Chadwick flexo presses.
Emerson and Renwick sales manager Steven Collinson added: “Surface Print already have an extensive range of equipment for producing their high-quality wallpapers, from historic processes such as surface printing, to state-of-the-art digital printing, but this machine extends their print capabilities still further without taking their focus off excellence.
“The machine is a hybrid machine designed specifically with wallpaper production in mind. It has both rotary screen and gravure printing capabilities on each of their six stations and utilises the latest drives and controls for superior quality and accuracy – as is demanded by a company like Surface Print.”
The £8m-turnover business has been producing high quality, innovative wallpaper for over 30 years. It was founded by current chairman John Watson and is today led by his children James and Abigail Watson, the fourth generation of the family to be involved.
Last summer the company increased its production efficiency and opened up a range of new markets after investing in two new HP Latex 3600 printers.
It is currently having a new roof installed above its print room and is also investing in a new digital winder, in a further combined investment of over £300,000.
