GKD boosts capacity with Speedmaster buy

Digital and litho printer GKD has invested in a used six-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster CD102, plus coater, as part of an on-going expansion plan.

The refurbished B1 press, from 2008, was installed in December and cost circa £900,000.

Production director Phillip Taylor said: “We chose the Speedmaster CD102 because it’s the Rolls-Royce of printing machines.”

The Speedmaster, which has a maximum speed of 15,000sph, features UV curing and an automated washing system. It is a 102cm-wide sheetfed offset press with double-size impression cylinders and triple-size transfer drums.

The firm believes the investment will increase business. “With the new purchase we are hoping to increase capacity by 20% if the market allows,” said Taylor.

The Speedmaster will also enable the company to apply primers, sealers, spot colours and specialist coatings.

It replaced two older Heidelberg presses at the firm’s circa 1,000sqm premises.

“We replaced the machines because they were starting to get a little old. The new Speedmaster has given us more opportunities. It is a six-colour B1 printer so we can be at maximum production with high-quality results,” said Taylor.

In 2014 the Hull-based company invested in an Agfa Avalon N8 CTP and a Fujifilm Acuity LED 1600 wide-format printer.

Its other kit includes guillotines, folders, stitching lines, cutters, creasers, and wide-format printers.