The 2008 machine, which is being installed and built at the Teddington-based firm’s premises this week, was bought from Itec Graphic Machinery. It has replaced a 1997 Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74, which the firm has sold on.
The company also operates a Heidelberg GTO and a Hashimoto litho press as well as a range of finishing equipment, including a Heidelberg Platen cutting and creasing device and a Watkiss bookletmaker.
The firm looked at a range of alternatives from Heidelberg including four-colour presses with coaters and other Speedmaster models but decided that the SM 74 CD was the best fit for its requirements.
Business development director David Nash said: “This press is going to make us a lot more efficient. We’re only a single day-shift printer so we’re hoping to get a bit more capacity.
“We’ve always operated five-colour presses just in case we need to seal work or offer some different finishes. A lot of what we’re printing now is full-out solids with tiny type at the bottom and we needed a modern press to do this sort of work at the pace that we need to get it delivered.
“I’m hoping that the investment will allow us to get into the packaging industry. Now that we can print up to 600-700gsm it’s going to open up new channels of different work we will be able to get into.”
The family-run company, which incorporates previously acquired businesses Joss Press, Teddington Instant Print and Beechgrove, employs 15 staff and has a turnover of around £900,000.
It produces a wide range of print including brochures, business cards, magazines, leaflets and letterheads for customers including insurance companies, estate agents, charities and government organisations.
