Trade & Discount Signs takes on Agfa hybrid system

Sylvia (centre) and Bill (right) Islip chose the Agfa after considering a number of options
Sylvia (centre) and Bill (right) Islip chose the Agfa after considering a number of options

Trade & Discount Signs has continued a seven-year relationship with Agfa by taking on a new Anapurna H1650i LED system to replace an older model.

The new machine, which arrived in September, is five times faster than the Sandy, Bedfordshire-based firm's previous printer. It also adds to Trade & Discount Sign’s capabilities by allowing the firm to print onto rigid media and to print ink as fixed without the need to laminate.

Following a broad inspection of the market, company directors Sylvia and Bill Islip decided that the H1650i, the smallest engine in Agfa’s Anapurna hybrid range, was the sort of entry-level industrial machine they were looking for.

Sylvia Islip said: “It may be the smallest Anapurna engine and great value for an industrial printer, but it was still a considered investment for a business of our size. However, the benefits we’ve seen within the business already have been huge.

“The new print engine is on average five times faster than the old machine which has given us much more time to look at new products, approach new markets and broaden our customer base.

“I was actually staggered at how smoothly the installation went. We were up and running in just two days. We are very fond of our local and favourite Agfa engineer Marcus, who we have worked with for the past seven years.”

The H1650i joins Trade & Discount Signs in their its premises since the company was founded 30 years ago, each time increasing its floorspace to accommodate a broader range of customers from further and further afield.

Alongside the Agfa tech, the six-strong team runs latex printing kit as well as cutting and routing machinery.