Statex looks to enhance quality and competitive position

Newcastle printer Statex has added a Heidelberg Linoprint C901 digital press as well as a cutting edge new litho press as it looks to expand and increase its productivity.

The company is not new to digital production. It retains a Xerox press but a market investigation persuaded it that Heidelberg’s Linoprint was the right direction for the future. ‘We have visited exhibitions and open houses and we have been really impressed by the Linoprint, its quality and productivity,’ said Graham Minett, joint managing director. ‘We have chosen to buy the beefier C 901 just as we have gone for the top of the range XL press technology; it just offers that bit more.’

The company has taken on two new and experienced digital press minders. They will handle personalised work but also a wide range of short run jobs. The company recognises that substrate, imagery and spend as well as run length impacts on the decision to go digital or litho. Along with the two press investment, the company has upgraded its Prinect networking. This modular software enables it to enhance set up times and provides useful management data on which good business decisions can be made.

‘Digital quality today really is comparable with litho. I never thought I’d say that but I have found it difficult to tell the two apart after a lifetime in print,’ said Mr Minett. ‘We want people placing work with us in short runs to see the quality and service they get and return to us for their longer run litho jobs.’

On the litho side, the new Speedmaster XL 75 five colour perfector with coater replaces a Speedmaster CD 74-5 and a Speedmaster SM 52-5 but gives the company a net increase in productivity. Armed with Prinect Inpress Control and AutoPlate, the make-ready time is minimised and closed loop colour is a reality. With this press in place, the company plans to undertake the Heidelberg ISO 12647-2 scheme, formalising its colour quality credentials.

The new litho press will run in parallel to, and complement, the company’s existing Speedmaster XL 75-10-P long perfector. The Speedmaster XL 75-5-P+L can handle perfected work, four colour, seal, four or five colour and coating, making it a very flexible machine as well as a high speed and cost competitive solution.