Offset Printing
Hobbs returns to Heidelberg citing Speedmaster enhancements
Thursday 12. February 2009 - Following a careful analysis of its work and the requirements of customers for the future, Hobbs the Printers has purchased a Speedmaster SM 102-2P from Heidelberg UK.
This marks a return to the manufacturer following the companys purchase of a Komori LS529C in 2005. Hobbs is a specialist in technical, financial and educational work handling a wide range of print from reference books and catalogues through to annual reports and conference proceedings for publishers, scientific and professional associations, societies and universities.
The Southampton-based printer spent three days at Drupa last year, attended 28 meetings and viewed 65 items of interest. This included a close look at a move to large format publication production but its post show analysis convinced the business to retain the flexibility and benefits already established with B1 production. The new SM 102 was officially started up by customer Bob Heasman from Open University Press this month.
“We have 32 years of experience running SM 102s and for text intensive products they are superb machines. The development of Press Center and Intellistart combined with increased automation leads to reduced makeready times and improved productivity which are vital in todays competitive market,” says operations director Graham Bromley.
“Customers are delighted to see a continued level of investment in the business as a whole. Weve recently purchased short run binding equipment and a second digital press and with the addition to the management team of Brian Jelf and Mike Beel from Pindar and Cromwell Press respectively were building for the future and have enjoyed some recent contract wins as a result.”