Hero Print has quadrupled digital sales since installing a Kodak Nexpress SX3900 in its Sydney factory.

Manager Alex Coulson said the trade printer had gained a commercial advantage from the machine's long-sheet feeder, which can produce sheets of 650x330mm.

"Getting into the market so early, we managed to pick up some clients we wouldn't normally have," he told ProPrint.

Coulson said Hero Print opted for the Nexpress because it had been impressed by the performance of the "bulletproof" Nexpress that has operated at its Perth site since 2008.

The Sydney press, which was installed in March, has boosted the firm's digital capacity, increased its product range and also allowed it to provide same-day turnarounds in some cases, said Coulson.

[Related: Cojo prints massive runs on new Nexpress]

"The new product range that we have been able to offer our clients has been a major contributing factor to our massive jump in the sales of digital product," he said.

"The Nexpress has filled a hole that we've been looking to plug for a few years now. We've always had enquiries about short-run, A4 landscape foldouts, 6pp foldouts and particularly landscape A4 booklets."

Coulson said the two Nexpresses operate at near-full capacity late in the week when demand peaks.

Hero Print will soon get another boost to its digital arsenal, with a Ricoh Pro C751EX due to be installed in its Melbourne site in late August. This will add production capacity to what is currently a sales office.

The 35-staff firm derives about 5-10% of its turnover from digital work, said Coulson.

Coulson told ProPrint that Hero Print planned to invest in more offset machinery later this year.

[Related: More news about trade printers]

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