Integrity snaps up specialist colour presses

Integrity Print has acquired the equipment from Wyndeham Print Direct, and could take on some of the plant’s former workers.

The Midsomer Norton firm had competed with Print Direct in some areas of the continuous stationery business, and now aims to add that know-how to its own setup.

“Print Direct had a first-class reputation on colour print for direct mail,” explained Integrity Print group managing director Mark Cornford. “We are now adding the colour excellence of Print Direct to the Integrity offering.”

Integrity is relocating three specialist presses to its 2,325sqm Midsomer Norton site: a ten-colour RDP Marathon, and eight- and ten-colour Goebel Optiforma presses.

The presses are equipped with a range of inline facilities including remoist gluing, UV varnishing, pattern perforating, and die-cutting.

The ten-colour presses can also produce additional special features such as thermochromic and coin reactive inks, OCR and metallics.

“Six of the printers from Print Direct will help us with commissioning and training, and there may be opportunities for some of them to remain with us long-term if they want to relocate,” Cornford added.

He said the additional kit was expected to be up and running by mid-November.

Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.

Integrity’s Midsomer Norton operation already houses more than 40 presses, together with 30 finishing lines including Hunkeler and Tamarack systems.

It produces a wide range of products including business forms, direct mail, data mailers, labels, and integrated card and label products. The site employs 340 staff and runs 24/5.

Wyndeham confirmed the closure of the loss-making Print Direct plant today, following a 30-day consultation.

Integrity Print is part of a £55m turnover group of companies owned by MCAARP Holdings, which includes A1 Trade Print and Mooreforms.