Newcastle's WHO Printing has boosted its productivity by up to 30 per cent with a new Heidelberg Speedmaster SX52, which it installed only a week after its old press broke down.
WHO Printing general manager Daniel Ogle says the company needed a reliable machine and so decided to buy the new two-colour offset press. He says, “Rather than spending money to upgrade our existing press which we had bought second-hand, we decided to purchase a new press to take advantage of the higher level of automation and the improved quality that comes with new technology.”
He says the new press has improved output by 20-30 per cent and decreased turnaround times by about 10 per cent thanks to its time-saving features. “The first job we put through was 30,000 two colour letterheads. We ran the machine at its maximum capacity of 15,000 sheets per hour. That was a great way to start”, he says.
“The automatic blanket and cylinder washes are a great benefit and the quick make ready times mean we can push through more work faster.
“Our operator really loves working with the new press and there is definitely an improvement in the quality we are achieving – colour quality is a premium requirement as an ISO-accredited printer.”
He says the press prints products like docket books, two-colour letterheads, and business cards.
[Related: More Heidelberg news]
Ogle says the 25-staff company needed a new press in a hurry after its old 1996 model it bought second-hand three years ago had a mainboard failure, making reliability a prime consideration in choosing a new machine.
“Within a week of giving Heidelberg the go ahead we had the new press installed. Equipment reliability is key for us and was a major factor in buying the press. The service and support Heidelberg provides is excellent and we are very happy with our decision.”
Ogle says Heidelberg is fixing the old press and WHO will then sell it to another printer. “It would be perfect for a small country printer,” he says.
Heidelberg head of product management Shane Hanlon says the SX52 is the most productive A3 press available on the market.
“It is the only press I have seen in that market segment that can truly run at its rated top speed of 15,000 sheets per hour on a variety of stocks, it can even run envelops at that speed,” he says.
“Combined with the standard SX 52 automation features of autoplate, fully automatic (and programmable) impression cylinder, blanket cylinder and roller wash systems – you have an easy-to-operate and productive press.
“The SX 52-2 is the perfect press for general jobbing work like stationary and flyers with the option for numbering and perforating.”
[Related: More offset press buys]
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter