The recent installation of a Kodak Nexpress SX3300 digital production colour press at Maygray’s Uxbridge factory in the UK means it can offer a full print service to its customers.
The press replaces one of two Heidelberg 74 5-colour Speedmasters and signals a complete overhaul of the factory’s logistics. Steve Evans, operations manager, said, ‘The choice of a Kodak press was a natural progression. The fifth imaging unit on it will give us added value options and the SX3300 also has the advantage of a longer sheet feeder to increase productivity. We saw the press in action at Print Efficiently in October of last year and we were blown away by the quality and diversity that it is capable of producing. We made the decision there and then; we had to have this machine. We had looked at the alternatives but in the end there was no comparison. The ability to print RGB and raise the quality in one pass, the opportunities with the unique gold and dimensional ink options on the fifth imaging unit were all too attractive a proposition to resist. We will be able to offer our customers countless options, which will give them the edge over their competitors.’
Established in 1986, the company has successfully built a strong client base as traditional litho printers. The digital investment will enable Maygray to offer the best of both litho and digital. The company also plans to further invest in a raft of finishing equipment. It is a commercial printer serving London, the Thames Valley and the South East; offering artwork, design and repro, proofing, printing, finishing, fulfilment and delivery. Employing twelve staff the company can see the advantages of the press offering personalisation for direct mail and transactional applications using variable data.
Mr Evans continued, ‘These are exciting times for Maygray. We have a full order book so we can see the new press complementing our litho press for the short run work we already have in hand. We are cautiously planning and reviewing every move to ensure quality control. We are looking at web to print options and working through a number of ideas. We needed to invest in the Kodak Nexpress first; it was a necessity to have the digital press in place before moving forward with any other initiative. We recognise that the future is the Internet and realise our customers would benefit from a service where they can go online to order, design and monitor their jobs. In today’s fast moving business world it is important that we research and adopt the latest technology available and give our customers the competitive advantage. This is a significant move for us business-wise and now that we have re-arranged our premises to accommodate both litho and digital printing we can offer a full service and control every job from start to finish in house.’
These are early days at Maygray but the company is planning to restructure its workload and move to an online service. The company sees it as fundamental that they help their dedicated customers to have the tools and support to differentiate themselves from their competition. With online ordering, customers will be able to place an order and receive a high quality product within a short time frame. It is also looking to attract new short run business.
