The company signed for a number of new investments at Drupa, including the just-launched Screen PlateRite 8900NZ CTP system, which is billed as the fastest platesetter in the world and can produce 70 B1 plates per hour.
It confirmed last month that it would go B1 later this year with the installation of a Drupa-specification Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106 at its 4,000sqm Letchworth factory, alongside an upgrade to its digital printing facilities.
Falkland’s Drupa haul of post-press equipment included four Multigraf multi-finishers from Duplo, which will mainly be used for scoring, folding and perforating work for fast-growing online print operation, PrintedEasy, said managing director Jon Lancaster.
The Multigrafs – two CF375 Duo models, and two CP3750 units (one with high-capacity feeder) – will be installed tomorrow (24 June).
The firm has also bought its second Horizon bookletmaker, a two-tower SPF-200. “This has a different configuration from our existing model, it can produce A4 landscape booklets and it can score every leaf,” Lancaster added.
In September Falkland is also set to install the first Kolbus KM 610 PUR binder in the UK. The binder was launched at Drupa. It has 16 feeders and can run at 8,000cph.
“Currently we have a hand-fed Horizon system and we’ll be keeping that, but the Kolbus will give us a big increase in PUR capacity for our internet business, and for general commercial work,” Lancaster said.
“It’s a competitive market but we’ve got some unique offerings, and this new equipment will give us more automated production and better workflow overall.”
Other ancillary kit to support the expansion includes Polar jogging and lifting equipment, and a Busch pile turner.
Lancaster said the additional equipment took the firm’s spend to some £4m. It is working with Compass Business Finance and Clydesdale Bank on the financing for the investment.
The 41-staff firm is expecting turnover of around £5m this year.
