Pureprint in mega finishing install

The Alegro A7 binder has increased running speeds at Pureprint
The Alegro A7 binder has increased running speeds at Pureprint

Pureprint Group has invested in a raft of new finishing kit for its main commercial litho and digital production site in Uckfield, East Sussex.

The bumper haul consisted of a Muller Martini Alegro A7 binder, an MBO K8 folder, a Polar 137 Autotrim guillotine, a Meccanotecnica Astronic 180 thread sewer and a Kisun lay-flat binder.

Pureprint told Printweek the machinery, which has all been installed over the past couple of months and is now all up and running, is a combination of new kit and upgrades for existing machinery.

The company said the new equipment has increased its capacity and improved its speed to market across a variety of finishing outputs. The kit has also lowered its environmental impact – a key objective for the business.

Pureprint manufacturing director Craig Berresford said: “The new high speed folder has been brought in to complement our current folding line up and gives us more folding capacity. Capacity that will be put to great use with the recent purchases of a Kinsun layflat binder and Astronic sewing machine.

“The new Muller Martini Alegro has seen running speeds improve dramatically thus also needing the extra folded sections. By bringing in these new machines and all the new kit together means we have increased capacity which translate into larger runs and being able to be more flexible for our clients.”

The business said new wire binding capacity has also recently been installed, with an auto punching and enclosing machine providing faster, more productive and more efficient production.

Pureprint Group chief executive Mark Handford said the business has continued to invest during the pandemic “so that we are ready when demand will inevitably increase”.

“We have seen businesses using beautiful print and clever direct mail campaigns to help drive demand. Increasing our finishing kit in house makes our business even more flexible and able to service our clients’ requirements.”

Earlier this month Pureprint revealed that it had acquired e-commerce photography and video studio Smudge, while last month the company installed the UK’s first HP Indigo 100K B2 digital press.

The business, which has 400 staff and a turnover in excess of £65m, said it has invested over £20m in the last five years.