GPS Reports Major Productivity Boost from HEIDELBERG Speedmaster
[L to R] Lorraine Bell, sales director of GPS, and Peter Smith, sales representative at HEIDELBERG UK & Ireland
Northern Irish commercial printer, GPS Colour Graphics (GPS), has reported a significant productivity boost after replacing two long perfecting machines with a new HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL 106-8P.
GPS is reportedly one of the largest commercial printing companies in the Irish region, specialising in book, magazine, and leaflet printing. The company purchased the Speedmaster in response to increased customer demand, replacing the B1 perfectors it had used since 2008.
The machine was the first HEIDELBERG press GPS purchased in forty years, with the company choosing the XL 106 due to its productivity, reliability, and value, according to sales director at GPS, Lorraine Bell.
Bell says: "HEIDELBERG makes bold claims about the XL which we didn't quite believe the press would live up to. However, looking at the market, we believed HEIDELBERG was the only option."
Speaking about how the press has performed, Bell continues: "At its peak, the XL 106 has given us a 43% productivity boost, and we still have capacity for another 20% at least.
"It has done more runs in a year than any other machine we've had before, with capacity to spare. To complement this capacity increase, we have invested in a new binding line, capable of much higher speeds than our previous machine."
GPS is now aiming to enhance its growth plans, with a new binding line working in tandem with the increased output of the Speedmaster, asserting that "the sky is the limit."
The company owns two TH82-P Stahlfolders to support the press, with GPS Colour Graphics also using HEIDELBERG service and Saphira consumables.
In addition, the company has reported that paper wastage and powder contamination have dramatically reduced in the press hall since installation, with the XL able to run a range of substrates including 90gsm coated at top speed.
GPS is one of the oldest commercial printers in Northern Ireland, having first been founded in 1797
Phil Buttress, head of sales for HEIDELBERG UK & Ireland, says: "The Speedmaster XL 106 has multiple standout benefits.
"It is highly energy efficient, delivers impeccable print quality, and great performance. We have had a strong relationship with GPS Colour Graphics, and we're delighted that they have chosen HEIDELBERG for this investment."
HEIDELBERG recently celebrated its 175th anniversary with the official opening of its Home of Print demonstration centre in Wiesloch-Waldorf, Germany.
The new Print Media Center covers an area of 9,000sq m with no fewer than 120 HEIDELBERG specialists on hand to share expertise and support. Each year the site will typically host 1,000 personalised presentations and is also home to open house events and guided tours.
Coinciding with the anniversary event, HEIDELBERG announced a number of releases and solutions, including unveiling the Cartonmaster CX 145 for the very large-format (VLF) market, which is based on the Roland Evolution 900 from Manroland Sheetfed.
HEIDELBERG also announced that it is extending its portfolio for industrial digital printing by integrating post-press solutions from manufacturers CP Bourg and Tecnau into its Jetfire 50 ecosystem.