Galloways gallops ahead with £2 million upgrade

Print Solutions

Galloways has invested close to £2 million in Heidelberg equipment, a move that will strengthen the company’s competitive position as it heads towards its 150th anniversary next year.

Two new presses, one litho and one digital, have been purchased and the workflow that links together the whole process is seen as key to higher output and maximum efficiency at the Poynton plant.

A Speedmaster CX 102-5+L, a B1 press, with fifth unit for special colours and a coater, has been ordered. It replaces another five colour press but the company will keep on a Speedmaster 102.

‘We analysed our market and our work and found there was little demand for the larger sheet size and the CX102 offers us the automation and efficiency that we need given that the market requires shorter and shorter runs making start up time and waste a critical issue,’ said Matt Galloway, director.

‘We will also be able to run more specialist materials and this will be our first press with Inpress Control which gives us colour measurement on the fly. Previously we have used ImageControl.’

As important was the company’s choice of digital press, since today 25 to 30% of its turnover is attributable to this technology. The company has had a Linoprint for some time but by supplementing that with a Versafire EP it will significantly increase output. The Versafire EP can produce 3,500 A3 simples pages an hour compared to 1000 an hour with the Linoprint and it also extends the stock range with its ability to handle up to 470 g/m2 board.

‘When we visited Germany to look at the CX 102 we were shown the workflow and process control that was now possible. We recognised that this is the key to maximising efficiency and the Production Manager will link pre-press, press and MIS seamlessly and give us even greater colour control. It works across both litho and digital so we simply have to decide which output device to send the work to. We have bought Production Manager on a subscription deal which also means we get regular updates,’ said Matt.

‘With this investment we are putting ourselves in a very competitive position by being cost effective for a range of commercial work and some packaging.’