Hickling & Squires goes processless with EM Setter and Superia ZD plates

Print Solutions

Installed in March 2021, Fujifilm's new, high quality 8-up CTP platesetter system is Hickling & Squires’ first investment in processless plate technology and the company is delighted with the early results. Substantial time, cost and labour savings are already apparent, and there has been a huge reduction in waste generated through the pre-press process – all while maintaining the same high standards of quality and reliability the company has always prided itself upon.

Hickling & Squires is a full service commercial and wide format print business based in Nottingham. With 30 employees and a 60 year heritage, the company serves a huge range of customers – from the leisure and hospitality sectors, to higher education, retail and the public sector.

In early 2020, with its existing platesetter nearing end of life and proving increasingly unreliable, the management team began searching for an alternative. They did not have to look far.

‘We had been Fujifilm plate customers for six or seven years,’ explained production director Jamie Gilbert. ‘We are very happy with the quality of product and level of service we have had from the company over that time, so it was only natural that we would talk to Fujifilm first.

‘We had also been looking to move over to processless plates for some time as well,’ Jamie continued. ‘We knew that the environmental benefits, as well as the cost, time and labour savings to be gained in making that switch were considerable, but it was just a case of finding the right moment.

‘With the old platesetter getting replaced anyway, it made sense on a number levels to make sure that the replacement could take us down that processless route. In our conversations with Fujifilm, we quickly became convinced that the new EM Setter and processless Superia ZD plate was the right next step for us. It sounded like excellent value for money and we already had tremendous confidence in Fujifilm's ability to offer an exceptional level of service and support.’

Though these initial conversations took place in early 2020, the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent national lockdowns in the UK meant that things got put on hold for a while.

Jamie said, ‘Things slowed down a lot, especially during the first lockdown, and we got pretty concerned all over again when the third lockdown was announced in January 2021. But a year on, we are actually as busy as ever and the future is looking very positive.’

The eventual loosening of restrictions meant that the Hickling & Squires’ long planned investment could finally go ahead, with the new EM Setter finally installed in March 2021.

‘We couldn't be happier with it,’ said Jaime. ‘We have been able to get rid of our processor, which means no more processing chemicals and no more processing waste. We used to have to factor in servicing and maintenance costs for the processor as well, so that has all gone too.

‘We have freed up staff time to put to more productive uses and the cost saving is already massive. It has completely changed the way we work.

‘Obviously we already had a very positive working relationship with Fujifilm, and I really couldn't fault the company on anything through the whole sales and installation process. It has been fantastic.’