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Spectrum printing Saves 2.9 Acres of Forest
Leicester-based Spectrum printing Saves 2.9 Acres of Forest
Spectrum has managed over the last 12 months (2011) to Carbon Balance 165 Tonnes of carbon and save 2.9 acres of tropical forest by using its House stock of Regency paper (Howard Smith Paper).
This is the equivalent of taking 40 average petrol cars off the road each year, or 177 return flights from London to New York.
Spectrum goes digital
Leicester-based Spectrum printing has overhauled its prepress and workflow as well as introduced digital printing with a Ricoh Pro C 751 Graphic Arts Edition.
The Heidelberg spend included replacing a manual Suprasetter 74 with an automated 75 machine to cope with increased demand. "We introduced 24 hour working back in July and have kept it going so we had to keep up with the plate volumes," said company director Karl Nicholson. The new platesetter is due to be installed next week.
The 33-staff company bought the Ricoh machine after seeing it at Heidelberg's Brentford showroom and Nicholson was impressed with the quality. "We just liked the look of it," he said, adding that clients now all use digital output, although personalisation is not something they are looking at for the time being.
"We also wanted some that could handle a range of stocks such as plastic," he said. "We have a client that does a lot of bunting."
The company has upgraded its workflow continuously and the latest update will install Prepress Manager and Pressroom Manager as well as staying true to Heidelberg for its MIS. "We've had Prinance since its launch," said Nicholson. "The thing we like about the Business Manager is the way it can automate a job from estimation right through to prepress."
He added that the current economic climate proved no barrier to financing the spend. "All the recession has done for us is enable us to grow bigger and stronger," he said. "Print runs have come down in size, into the B2 market, which suits us, and turnaround times are becoming non-existent."
The £3m-turnover business produces a range of commercial work such as brochures and local magazines and the 26-year-old company was bought out by Nicholson and his partner in an MBO nearly six years ago.
Printweek.com
Spectrum spends £250,000 on revamping finishing department
Charles Gubert, printweek.com, 26 February 2010
Commercial printer Spectrum Printing has upgraded its finishing department with a £250,000 spend on equipment from Heidelberg and Muller Martini.
The Leicester-based, £2.1m-turnover company installed an automated TH 56 Stahlfolder for £76,000 and splashed out £187,000 on a Muller Presto E90 saddlestitcher, which replaces an old Muller Martini line.
Karl Nicholson, director and joint owner of the 26-staff business, which specalises in brochures and magazines, said: "We have a policy of keeping up with the times. It is about speed and this new finishing equipment will be good for us, especially after the recession.
"We wanted the stitching line to replace the existing machinery. This machine is going to increase productivity and reduce overtime, as well as increasing the running speed on the floor. The old machine could process 2,000 to 3,000 copies per hour (cph) on the floor. Now this one can manage 6,000 to 7,000cph."
Nicholson claimed the new purchases would enable the plant to operate with fewer people. However, he stressed that he would not reduce his workforce.
"The fact that the TH 56 Stahlfolder can programme in and recall a contract will enable us to lift a job and fit in another, where deadlines demand. It's a productive machine and, given the issue of deskilling across our industry, the ease of use is also critical," he added.
