Glendining Signs expands capacity with third HP Scitex FB500
The machine, which was installed in its Theale, Reading site in June, is now housed along with the other two devices in a specially converted warehouse. This new equipment forms part of a £250,000-£300,000 investment strategy by the company to move away from solvent printing and output more direct-to-substrate UV work. The Scitex FB500 uses piezoelectric inkjet printheads, printing up to six colours, with optional white. It offers speeds of 16.4sqm/hr for indoor signage and 29.6sqm/hr for outdoor applications. Operations director Chris Lake said: “We started looking at these machines when we decided to move into direct-to-substrate printing, and we were looking for one that fitted in with our specific production needs. When saw the demonstrations we were very impressed.” He added that the company chose the device primarily because of its continuous feed using a moving belt, instead of fixed bed. “We were looking to expand capacity for our current health and safety signage printing for construction sites. But it has freed us up to do other things. We’ve been printing onto clear acrylic, which we’ve not been able to do before,” said Lake. He added that with the ability to print direct to substrate the FB500 had increased output and cut running costs. With 80% of the firm’s production on rigid substrates, the new equipment meant sticking vinyl onto board was no longer necessary, he said. “We’ve been able to be a lot more competitive in pricing because it has taken so much of the labour cost away.”...
read moreGlendining Signs expands capacity with third HP Scitex FB500
The machine, which was installed in its Theale, Reading site in June, is now housed along with the other two devices in a specially converted warehouse. This new equipment forms part of a £250,000-£300,000 investment strategy by the company to move away from solvent printing and output more direct-to-substrate UV work. The Scitex FB500 uses piezoelectric inkjet printheads, printing up to six colours, with optional white. It offers speeds of 16.4sqm/hr for indoor signage and 29.6sqm/hr for outdoor applications. Operations director Chris Lake said: “We started looking at these machines when we decided to move into direct-to-substrate printing, and we were looking for one that fitted in with our specific production needs. When saw the demonstrations we were very impressed.” He added that the company chose the device primarily because of its continuous feed using a moving belt, instead of fixed bed. “We were looking to expand capacity for our current health and safety signage printing for construction sites. But it has freed us up to do other things. We’ve been printing onto clear acrylic, which we’ve not been able to do before,” said Lake. He added that with the ability to print direct to substrate the FB500 had increased output and cut running costs. With 80% of the firm’s production on rigid substrates, the new equipment meant sticking vinyl onto board was no longer necessary, he said. “We’ve been able to be a lot more competitive in pricing because it has taken so much of the labour cost away.”...
read moreGovernment reponse on late payment inquiry disappointing
Campaigners hit out at a series of vague statements from the coalition that followed July’s publication of 11 recommendations to tackle the issue of late payment, especially to SMEs. The recommendations from a cross-party panel of MPs headed Debbie Abrahams included calls for a raft of specific measures such as good practice guidance and more robust advice to businesses. However the ministers couched their response in vague assurances such as the government was “looking” at reforms to public procurement and it “believes” SMEs are vital to securing economic recovery. Abrahams, who launched the Be Fair – Pay on Time campaign and chaired an all-party late payments inquiry in April, said: “The government’s response to the report does not appear to recognise that late payments reflect an unethical business culture. Nor does it respond specifically to many of the recommendations. “The government has done nothing concrete during three and a half years in office to help SMEs in relation to late payment. Their response has no sense of urgency or conviction about it and will leave SMEs wondering if they really understand the issue at all.” Forum of Private Business chief executive Phil Orford: “Late payment remains a real problem for our members so we’re disappointed the government has not committed to taking some of the practical steps the report recommended to combat it. “More needs to be done to join up business support packages and raise awareness of them among SMEs. And, while supporting SMEs manage their cash flow is important, late payment is a deeper problem than simply poor management on their part.” Late payments have been a major issue for many businesses in the print industry for many years, although BPIF chief executive Kathy Woodward said that the organisation’s latest figures indicate that the situation had not deteriorated in recent months. She said: “This is always a sensitive issue and although it would be great if the government would legislate, in reality those rules would only be bent to fit whatever contract the terms applied to. “The government is a major buyer, so if they lead by example on this, it would be a big...
read moreGovernment reponse on late payment inquiry disappointing
Campaigners hit out at a series of vague statements from the coalition that followed July’s publication of 11 recommendations to tackle the issue of late payment, especially to SMEs. The recommendations from a cross-party panel of MPs headed Debbie Abrahams included calls for a raft of specific measures such as good practice guidance and more robust advice to businesses. However the ministers couched their response in vague assurances such as the government was “looking” at reforms to public procurement and it “believes” SMEs are vital to securing economic recovery. Abrahams, who launched the Be Fair – Pay on Time campaign and chaired an all-party late payments inquiry in April, said: “The government’s response to the report does not appear to recognise that late payments reflect an unethical business culture. Nor does it respond specifically to many of the recommendations. “The government has done nothing concrete during three and a half years in office to help SMEs in relation to late payment. Their response has no sense of urgency or conviction about it and will leave SMEs wondering if they really understand the issue at all.” Forum of Private Business chief executive Phil Orford: “Late payment remains a real problem for our members so we’re disappointed the government has not committed to taking some of the practical steps the report recommended to combat it. “More needs to be done to join up business support packages and raise awareness of them among SMEs. And, while supporting SMEs manage their cash flow is important, late payment is a deeper problem than simply poor management on their part.” Late payments have been a major issue for many businesses in the print industry for many years, although BPIF chief executive Kathy Woodward said that the organisation’s latest figures indicate that the situation had not deteriorated in recent months. She said: “This is always a sensitive issue and although it would be great if the government would legislate, in reality those rules would only be bent to fit whatever contract the terms applied to. “The government is a major buyer, so if they lead by example on this, it would be a big...
read moreScreen to put Truepress Jet W3200UV in spotlight at open house
Those attending the event, which is to be held on 19 and 20 September, will have the opportunity to see the Jet 3200UV printing a wide variety of display graphics up to 3.2×1.6m in size. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own files to test the inkjet’s capabilities. Screen Europe president Brian Filler said that he expected around 40 to 50 visitors on each day of the event. Screen has recently completed a revamp of the Amstelveen site, following the move of the company’s demonstration facilities from the UK, and this open house will be the first event to be staged at Amstelveen since the refurbishment. According the Filler, the move to the new site has been received “extremely well” across Europe. “People are even more impressed once we get them here,” he added. Screen, part of the Dainippon Screen Group, developed the Jet W3200UV in partnership with subsidiary Inca Digital and launched the machine at Fespa in May this year. The manufacturer said the Jet W3200UV is designed to deliver high-quality print cost effectively and at high speeds. For more information on attending or to register for the event, visit www.screeneurope.com/wideformat....
read moreSP Group in major digital expansion
The £90m-turnover business, which was acquired by St Ives in 2004, has one logistics and one manufacturing site in Redditch, as well as a manufacturing site in Burnley. The new equipment will be installed at the group’s Redditch manufacturing facility in two weeks. Existing kit includes a KBA 205 litho press, a B1 litho press, two Inca Onset S70s, four HP indigo 5000s, two HP DesignJets, a five and four-colour screen press, three Epson proofing printers, two Durst Lamdas and a raft of finishing equipment. Managing director Nick Cole said the investment was the result of growth in its volume of digital work and a continuing migration away from B1 litho work. “People are looking for more personalised print rather than large volumes. The run lengths are coming down but the personalised nature of it is increasing as is the number of jobs from existing clients as well as new clients. This is going to really increase the quality and speed of our output,” he added. The Fespa-launched HP Scitex FB10000 is HP’s flagship UV rigid printer. It is capable of 312sqm/hour in ‘Sample Mode’ rising to 625 sqm/hr in “sellable” ‘PROD 125′ mode and has a bed size of 1,600×3,200mm. It can handle products up to 25mm thick. The Xerox iGen110 devices are being installed to meet demand from a recently won Co-op shelf-edge ticketing contract. The work will begin in September and will be carried out in partnership with St Ives-owned data intelligence firm Response One, which will manage variable data and cleansing for the ticketing information. The data will be sent through SP-developed ticketing data software, Sparta, and printed and delivered by SP. As part of the expansion an extra 1,860sqm of space has been added to its Redditch logistics facility, completed two weeks ago, to help manage the growth in output. Cole said the added capacity would most likely create vacancies, but the focus would be on cross-training of staff. “I would really want to be training our existing litho staff on digital capability and output rather than taking on an array of new starters,” he added. SP employs around 700 people across all of its sites. Cole said the investments had rounded off a successful 12-months for SP Group. “We are growing in terms of profitability and sales. The price pressure remains but we are seeing growth of existing clients and growth with new business. There is an awful lot of opportunity out there at the moment. “Lead time and speed to market required from brands is coming down but we feel this plays into our hands a bit because we have the firepower and the systems to turn things round quickly.”...
read moreScreen to put Truepress Jet W3200UV in spotlight at open house
Those attending the event, which is to be held on 19 and 20 September, will have the opportunity to see the Jet 3200UV printing a wide variety of display graphics up to 3.2×1.6m in size. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own files to test the inkjet’s capabilities. Screen Europe president Brian Filler said that he expected around 40 to 50 visitors on each day of the event. Screen has recently completed a revamp of the Amstelveen site, following the move of the company’s demonstration facilities from the UK, and this open house will be the first event to be staged at Amstelveen since the refurbishment. According the Filler, the move to the new site has been received “extremely well” across Europe. “People are even more impressed once we get them here,” he added. Screen, part of the Dainippon Screen Group, developed the Jet W3200UV in partnership with subsidiary Inca Digital and launched the machine at Fespa in May this year. The manufacturer said the Jet W3200UV is designed to deliver high-quality print cost effectively and at high speeds. For more information on attending or to register for the event, visit www.screeneurope.com/wideformat....
read moreSP Group in major digital expansion
The £90m-turnover business, which was acquired by St Ives in 2004, has one logistics and one manufacturing site in Redditch, as well as a manufacturing site in Burnley. The new equipment will be installed at the group’s Redditch manufacturing facility in two weeks. Existing kit includes a KBA 205 litho press, a B1 litho press, two Inca Onset S70s, four HP indigo 5000s, two HP DesignJets, a five and four-colour screen press, three Epson proofing printers, two Durst Lamdas and a raft of finishing equipment. Managing director Nick Cole said the investment was the result of growth in its volume of digital work and a continuing migration away from B1 litho work. “People are looking for more personalised print rather than large volumes. The run lengths are coming down but the personalised nature of it is increasing as is the number of jobs from existing clients as well as new clients. This is going to really increase the quality and speed of our output,” he added. The Fespa-launched HP Scitex FB10000 is HP’s flagship UV rigid printer. It is capable of 312sqm/hour in ‘Sample Mode’ rising to 625 sqm/hr in “sellable” ‘PROD 125′ mode and has a bed size of 1,600×3,200mm. It can handle products up to 25mm thick. The Xerox iGen110 devices are being installed to meet demand from a recently won Co-op shelf-edge ticketing contract. The work will begin in September and will be carried out in partnership with St Ives-owned data intelligence firm Response One, which will manage variable data and cleansing for the ticketing information. The data will be sent through SP-developed ticketing data software, Sparta, and printed and delivered by SP. As part of the expansion an extra 1,860sqm of space has been added to its Redditch logistics facility, completed two weeks ago, to help manage the growth in output. Cole said the added capacity would most likely create vacancies, but the focus would be on cross-training of staff. “I would really want to be training our existing litho staff on digital capability and output rather than taking on an array of new starters,” he added. SP employs around 700 people across all of its sites. Cole said the investments had rounded off a successful 12-months for SP Group. “We are growing in terms of profitability and sales. The price pressure remains but we are seeing growth of existing clients and growth with new business. There is an awful lot of opportunity out there at the moment. “Lead time and speed to market required from brands is coming down but we feel this plays into our hands a bit because we have the firepower and the systems to turn things round quickly.”...
read morePower 100 2013: 20 to 11
Why Having been in the post for more than two years now, it’s safe to say that Gerard Heanue has firmly embedded himself as Heidelberg UK managing director, seamlessly making the transition from finance director to figurehead. A certifiable fitness freak according to colleagues, with cycling his speciality, a demanding year business-wise has ruled out taking part in any races in the past year. “But all that means is that he has been exercising his competitive streak at work, so its been a winning year for the business,” says one source. However, the German giant’s decision to pull out of Ipex 2014 means that his energies over the next 12 months will no doubt be spent on making sure his team compensates for the big show sales bounce they’re used to in Ipex years. Why Known for his forthright views and direct manner, ex-rugby playing Alastair Watson is “laid back, but a tough negotiator,” one source says of the man who has retained his number 19 spot for the second year running. Colleagues say he maintains a purposeful stride, driving strategic sourcing for the US-based firm’s UK Global Document Solutions division. Although RRD has experienced declining European sales overall, the GDS division has had successes this year with Royal Mail selecting the business to take part in a £70m overhaul of its business mail service through the introduction of barcodes. This followed a major “multi-year” deal signed with International Airlines Group (IAG) in March to provide print management and logistics services. Why A year which saw packaging giant DS Smith acquire SCA Packaging and consolidate its retail and display and manufacturing arm Multigraphics, was never going to be an easy one. Indeed the end of last year saw divisional chief executive Gary Saunders and colleagues fighting reports from the national press of disputes over final acquisition price. But the company, thanks no doubt to Saunders’ assured leadership, has emerged triumphant, posting a 51% profit increase on underlying pre-tax profits in the 12 months to 30 April. A background in senior roles at Quaker Oats, Nestlé, Sainsbury’s and RHM has clearly stood Saunders in good stead. Why Recent events at CPI’s French parent group very nearly put a crimp in the suave demeanour of the firm’s UK chief executive, who is of course also a Frenchman. However, all’s well that ends well and with fresh backers in place over at HQ, Francois Golicheff was able to proceed with a substantial reinvestment plan at the UK wing. Golicheff wins plaudits for forging close relationships with customers and being in tune with their needs. Always immaculately turned out, we reckon he could vie for the accolade of most stylish man in print: “I’ve not yet seen him wear the same thing twice,” says a colleague. There is a separate theory that his mood can be gauged by his choice of outfit colourway. Why Her third year in the UK and in the Power 100 list, poetry-loving chief executive Moya Greene leaps up the chart again. Tripling 2012 profits to £403m – largely through DM services, raising the price of the 1st Class stamp and parcel delivery and capitalising on softer regulations in place since March 2012 – the Canadian’s drive to privatise the 497-year-old British institution is assumed to be a done...
read morePower 100 2013: 30 to 21
Why Adare may be overshadowed by the cloud of its second debt-for-equity swap, but chief executive Robert Whiteside’s non-move Power 100 position reflects his reaction to these economic challenges. Targeting the US and the Middle East and cross-sector activity as key progressive methods, Whiteside is developing Adare’s additional services from traditional print to secure, data-driven communications. To quote one colleague, “stylistically, it has not been Whiteside’s way to shout about Adare’s success and development, but rather get on with the business of delivering value and letting results do the talking”. As Adare’s repayment plan rolls out into 2014, only time will tell if these results really do talk… Why New to the Power 100 but far from a newcomer to the industry, Richard Hill was appointed production operations director at IPC Media in June this year, some 24 years after he first joined the business. Hill, who has been IPC production director since 2000 and is also current chair of the PPA Production and Technology group, stepped up to the position following a major restructure that saw the business shed around 150 positions. Well liked and highly respected amongst both publishers and printers, those who know him describe him as a genuine and approachable while being a tough but fair negotiator – a skill he will no doubt need in the months ahead. Why “HH continues to punch above its weight, successfully competing against billion-dollar giants…” So says one of Robert MacMillan’s peers. With recent client wins ranging from Siemens to Pepsico, it’s a fitting description. You can easily apply it to MacMillan, too – as a Fulham supporter and as HH Global’s chief executive officer. Two examples of MacMillan’s drive – and why he’s recovered from last year’s drop in the list – happened last month. Firstly, a successful print management deal with a major Indian telecommunications player. Secondly, the Pirelli Group (who use goods and services from more than 12,000 companies) crowned HH its supplier of the year. And that’s in the last month alone. Why Ricoh’s UK and Ireland head of production print holds onto last year’s three-point climb to 27. Stephen Palmer joined Ricoh in 2010 having previously held senior positions at Kodak, Danka and Infotec, roles that have stood him in good stead by giving him a broad appreciation of the industry and technology-led businesses. Palmer has built up a reputation in the industry for his affability, calming influence and expertise. According to those who know him, his key business skills are his clarity of vision and his ability to communicate that vision to those around him. Why It’s been a challenging eight months for Unite GPM sector national officer Paul Finegan, who took over from Steve Sibbald in January. While the turmoil in the industry has calmed a little, it is still going though a period of much-needed structural change and all too often Unite members are in the firing line. A lifelong Liverpool fan, as proven by his penchant for wearing one of his two official club ties at any given opportunity, Finegan began his career as a labourer at a printworks almost 40 years ago. With his blue-collar roots beyond reproach, you could never accuse him of being a champagne socialist; he prefers chardonnay for a start. But he’s most definitely...
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