Finishing & Screen Printing
Crescent Press ties up finishing deal to accompany long perfector
Friday 28. May 2010 - Andy Matthews, managing director of Crescent Press, hopped into the Heidelberg hall at Ipex to finalise paper work for the purchase of a Polar 92X and TH56 Stahlfolder with gluer attachment. These machines will beef up the companys capacity as it takes delivery of a refurbished Speedmaster SM 74-10-P sourced by Heidelberg UK from Germany.
The local Birmingham firm is set to move to new 10,000 sq ft premises next month, reuniting its printing and finishing operations which have operated out of two separate 4,000 sq ft units for the last eight years. All 16 staff are making the eight mile transfer.
“We are making the move to new premises so that we can take advantage of long perfector technology and this replacement for our six-colour B2 press will give us a 50% increase in capacity,” says Mr Matthews. “The cost of moving equipment and the downtime involved concentrates the mind and so we have decided that in addition to the new press we will replace and beef up our range of finishing options.”
The ten-colour format will allow Crescent Press to apply seals or special colours to two sides of the sheet or to run straight with additional specials and seals. The press is running water-cooled peripherals guaranteeing the operators a comfortable working environment.
The Polar 92X will be delivered to the new plant to run alongside one of two 78cm cutters that is being retained. The wider model will allow the company to cut larger sheets and maximise flexibility. The convincing factor in its purchase of the Stahlfolder TH56 was that it could be supplied with a gluing attachment, ideal for 8 or even 12pp booklets and direct mail work.
“Our business has been built up by servicing print management companies and with this latest extensive round of investment we believe we will be well prepared as the UK lifts out of economic gloom and we will be better placed to service existing and new print management customers. For this reason we are taking on two additional salesmen and we hope that by the end of the year we might be in a position to increase from double day shifts to round the clock production,” says Mr Matthews.
“I am very impressed by the Heidelberg stand with its services at the core and many informative press and finishing demonstrations and the easy access to expertise. Its a great show.”