Keighley, Yorkshire-based Fretwell Design & Print has bought a Heidelberg Versafire EV digital press to gain format flexibility, higher quality and higher speed, plus the ability to print on heavier stocks.
The first investment since the company went through a management buyout in September 2018, the new Heidelberg press replaces an older Ricoh unit. ‘We chose to go with Heidelberg because our whole colour workflow is from them and the Heidelberg Digital Front End will give us a great match. We will benefit from the larger 6pp A4 format, the ability to handle higher weight stocks, achieve better quality and run at greater speed,’ commented co-owner Andy Gillett.
‘We aim to increase our turnover to reach £8 million in the next two to three years,’ added Mr Gillett. ‘The Versafire will give us 20-25% more throughput than the press it replaces and, with the 50% increase in sheet size, that is a valuable first step to growth. We will win new work with this press but also extend the work we do for existing clients.’
Fretwell offers specialist direct mail services to customers in the retail, financial and charity sectors and will be using PDF/VT capabilities in the production of personalised products on the Versafire press. The company was bought out from its original owners last year by Mr Gillett and Gareth Pociecha. It has 50 staff and a turnover of £6.2 million.
