MPG Printgroup has transformed its business model and doubled its turnover since installing a Kodak Prosper 1000 press 14 months ago.
Bought to face to the changes in the book publishing industry the machine has increased through put at the company’s Kings Lynn factory, printing over 100,000 books per week, 70% of which are paperback. As well as the Prosper press the factory also has a Timsons T-Press, which also uses Kodak Stream Technology.
Gary Mackney, operations manager said, ‘Three years ago we decided to move to 100% digital manufacturing. We took the huge step of clearing out all of our litho machines from the factory and replacing them with digital inkjet technology. Our day-to-day working lives have been changed by the speed and efficiency we can achieve using the Prosper press and the T-Press. We chose Kodak Stream Technology as it offers us high volume manufacturing for short runs whilst achieving a small footprint.’
Gary Mackney, operations manager
MPG is in the process of re-structuring its business to address the effects of e-books and global book distribution. The company’s plan is to double output with inkjet printing using the same floor space. The new name of the company is born from a series of strategic acquisitions over the last four years including Biddles, which started business in the early 1900’s. The most recent acquisition is the book manufacturing arm of Cambridge University Press. It is now based over three sites: Bodmin, King’s Lynn and Bar Hill, Cambridge, a recently acquired facility for its litho operation to print academic journals and educational books.
‘With the new press, if the paper is the same format from job-to-job we are able to change over on the fly; it is seamless printing. With the T-Press, we have exceptional paper handling and reliability. The Stream Inkjet Technology within this press offers print speeds up to 1000 ft per minute in widths up to 52″. It is a personal opinion but I believe, with digital printing at these levels, we now have one of the most efficient logistical models for book production within Europe. Continuous inkjet printing is the future, clean, fast and flexible. As the book market adapts, we needed a solution for short run book manufacturing. Since the installation of the two digital presses, we have achieved substantial efficiencies with a reduction in paper consumption combined with incredible press availability.’
Timson T-Press
