Pureprint rolls out Tharstern MIS integrated workflow

A Tharstern MIS that links together Kodak, Heidelberg and HP workflows is being installed at Uckfield-based printer Pureprint in a six-month rollout starting this month.

The litho and digital printer has chosen Tharstern to supply a system that supports its growth strategy and will bring major efficiency and business infrastructure benefits.

The MIS, which will eventually be used by 120 people, will integrate workflows between the Kodak Prinergy Pre-Press Workflow, Heidelberg Press Room Manager, which links Pureprint’s five XL presses, HP SmartStream Production Pro, which feeds five Indigo digital presses, and Pureprint’s Purity web-to-print and e-commerce platforms.

Tharstern’s integration to JDF and JMF to HP SmartStream and Kodak Prinergy will provide an automated workflow for web-to-print order submission as well as valuable costing data.

The deal covers deploying Primo Estimate Pro, to help streamline full integration functionality in estimating and to enable estimators to be better informed about different production options, and the implementation of Primo’s CRM to help unify sales process, providing management for sales and marketing strategy.

Tharstern will also implement Primo modules across Pureprint’s multiple warehouses. These include barcode scanning, multi-location stock control for raw material and finished goods and advanced pick-and-pack routines.

The system will initially be rolled out at Pureprint’s Uckfield site and will be deployed at the company’s other sites at a later date.

Pureprint strategic development consultant Anthony Thirlby said: “As part of Pureprint’s repositioning and rapid growth strategy, in which turnover is projected to rise from £42m to group sales of £58m in 2015, it is imperative the business has the correct infrastructure to continue with its growth strategy, maximising business opportunities and gaining full commercial leverage from the integration capabilities of all its deployed platforms.

“It was a case of re-establishing where the business was and what the roadmap for the business needed to be. There is a certain amount of growth pain that happens and what the business acknowledged and recognised very quickly is that there was a necessity to create a more strategic platform to grow the business from.

“After an extensive market evaluation, it was clear that Tharstern’s industry leading systems and expertise would be the perfect choice to deliver the future plans for Pureprint. This will be a world first in the industry with complete cross-platform infrastructure and integration.

“The system will allow a more streamlined process for the business by developing third-party bolt-ons into the system as the company carries on growing.”

Pureprint chief executive Mark Handford added: “Tharstern clearly demonstrated it has a strong team of experts based in the UK, which we considered to be an essential differentiator for a vendor proposing to provide a fully integrated MIS. The company has taken a lot of time and effort in getting to know and understand our current and future business requirements.”

Earlier this year the group, which employs just under 400 staff and serves clients in the corporate, retail, creative and fine art industries, acquired a majority shareholding in Newcastle upon Tyne-based Imprint Group.

The deal was financed with part of its recently announced £5.3m investment from Business Growth Fund (BGF).