Wrights upgrades Arizona in £250k investment

Wrights Plastics has taken on a new Canon Océ Arizona 6170 XTS flatbed to increase productivity.

Delivered on Monday (10 June), the new machine is in the process of being commissioned and will replace an Arizona 350 XT in West Bromwich-based Wrights’ exclusively Canon Océ suite of large-format printers.

The 6170 XTS cost £250,000 and will sit alongside an Arizona 660 XT. The two machines will address Wrights’ key client base within the cosmetics industry.

Group commercial director Andy Watkins said: “All of our kit is Canon Océ and, though we considered HP, our guys know this equipment and Canon has been excellent to us with great service and the opportunity to test new machines to win big contracts ahead of actually investing.

“The speed and the high quality of print, which is as good as anything else on the market, were the key draws for us alongside our nearly 10-year relationship with Canon.

“It will be a year of ups and downs as nobody knows which way the country will go, but we have invested in this kit for now to help us move forward and we will look at future investments when our clients start asking for particular things.”

The 6170 XTS is a 2.5x3m flatbed which can take media up to 50.8mm thick and weighing up to 34kgsm. It can print at three speeds – 155sqm/hr express mode, 100sqm/hr production mode and 72sqm/hr quality mode.

Wrights will be using it to produce a variety of POS applications include FSDUs and counter-top display units. The firm also runs two Zünd G3 cutters, as well as boasting VAC forming, CNC and laser cutting capabilities.

The group, including its subsidiary Mid West Displays, employs circa 80 members of staff on 5,017sqm floorspace and turns over £8m.