The March 2021 installation at Delta Group of an Inca Digital Onset X3 flatbed printer supplied via Fujifilm has brought improved production speeds and print quality, thanks to automation and the unit’s design.

The Hertfordshire-based group serves blue-chip clients in the retail, consumer brands and entertainment sectors. It provides an end-to-end service from creative services including experiential design, to PoS production, fulfilment, distribution and installation. It employs over 750 staff across four sites and has an annual turnover of around £90 million.

Delta Group chief operating officer Martin Shipp explained the reasons for the investment: ‘We began looking for a new machine after our existing one from an alternative supplier reached end-of-life. Industry 4.0 has been a big talking point within the print sector lately and was something at the forefront of our minds when we were shopping around. We have always been familiar with both Fujifilm and Inca, having worked with them for over 20 years.’

‘When we heard about the Onset X3 HS, we were thoroughly impressed with how Fujifilm and Inca together had pushed the boundaries by seamlessly introducing robotics into the print production process. On top of this, the speed and quality it could produce looked extremely promising.

‘The implications of the added automation for our business have been significant,’ Mr Shipp continued. ‘Automation has been a game-changer and is something we will continue to invest in and integrate into our business where possible. Most importantly this aligns to our clients’ needs, which fundamentally drives our investments.  The market has changed to personalisation and consumer expectations where there is a greater demand of volumes of short runs, which we are now able to automate and reduce touch-points to give better speed to the market – working smarter not harder.’

Mr Shipp noted that the Onset X3 has effectively doubled the group’s capacity whilst also increasing quality to the point where customers are specifically asking for their work to be produced on it. He also praised Fujifilm’s installation and support, saying, ‘We have had a really positive experience working with Fujifilm. The period between the deal closing and the installation took just over a couple of months, and Fujifilm are always available to support with any queries we have had.’