The new Onset Panthera FB3216 was launched at Fespa last month. It uses LED-curing technology from British manufacturer GEW. 

Wilmot-Budgen has installed the device in a newly-refurbished unit at its Coulsdon, Surrey, base.

The revamped 743sqm unit houses a suite of digital equipment including the new Onset Panthera, roll-to-roll printers, and three cutting tables.

Its other facility, which includes litho printing, is around 4,654sqm over two floors.

Managing director Richard Budgen said the firm had been waiting for the LED version of the Onset to become available.

The Panthera has replaced an older Onset that had been in use at the business for a decade, and was upgraded to the X2 spec in 2021. 

“LED provides energy savings and gives us a wider gamut on the ink set,” he said.

“The Panthera is also a lot faster and we can still produce work with a matt or gloss finish. It’s very flexible.”

Agfa has cited energy savings of up to 60% using LED compared to standard UV curing. 

Training is just being completed, and Wilmot-Budgen’s Onset Panthera will also benefit from full automation with robotic take-off and loader.

The firm has also opted for the optional white, which Budgen said would be added to the Onset imminently.

The Panthera prints on substrates up to 322x160cm in size, at up to 1,514sqm/hr.

Paul Fitch, Agfa head of inkjet for the UK, Ireland and Nordic, commented: “We are delighted to see that Wilmot-Budgen has made this investment, as they have been using Onset products for many years and know the range inside out.

“Their acknowledgement of the leap forwards that the Panthera represents versus its predecessors demonstrates our commitment to innovation and driving this technology forward.”

Family-owned Wilmot-Budgen has been in business for more than 50 years. It provides a range of integrated services including print, packaging, point-of-sale, and logistics and storage.

It has produced work for a variety of brands including Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, L’Occitane and Cadbury.

The firm employs 85 and has turnover of more than £16m.

A new Lamina mounting machine is also set to arrive at the site at the end of this month, which will replace an older model of the same make.

Budgen said further investments were in the pipeline for the next 12-18 months.  

Picture shows, left to right: Richard Budgen; Michael Budgen director at Wilmot-Budgen; James Argent Agfa inkjet sales manager UK South; Wilmot-Budgen production director Tim Collier and director Peter Burford; and Agfa's Paul Fitch.