Installed in November, the new press replaces a five-year-old Komori Lithrone LS-429 in order to accommodate increasing demand for B1 work from the company's customer base. It now works alongside a Manroland 700 HiPrint perfector.
The new press is intended to help the business build its work for the trade market, with Saltash, Cornwall-based Deltor looking to provide smaller-format printers with long-run, multi-section work. According to managing director Sam Shannon, it is hoped that by taking care of existing clients, it will also be able to cultivate new partners in this sector.
He said: “When we were looking to replace the Lithrone, we basically wanted more of the same to accommodate the demand we were seeing. We spoke to other manufacturers, but we know Komori well and this is our fourth of their machines. In the end, we were not looking for complications, just increased capacity and a smooth installation.
“By taking another conventional press, I see it as bucking the trend by not bucking the trend, I see the advantages in LED-UV and digital, but conventional also has its advantages and it is simply a better fit for us in the medium- to long-run sheetfed market.
“It means there is no learning curve for our operators as they are familiar with Komori, plus the tech has advanced so there is faster makeready, higher speeds and less waste. It takes the same conventional inks as our perfector which helps keep waste to a minimum.”
The Komori GL-540 will aid Deltor in its continuous efforts to be a “one-stop shop” for its clients, running alongside the 10-colour Manroland perfector, an MBO K8 combination folder installed in late 2017, and a full line-up of finishing kit including perfect and PUR binding, folding and laminating. Its wide-format offering is served by an Agfa Anapurna.
With a current turnover of £3.2m, Deltor has been “steadily growing” for a number of years, according to Shannon. The boost granted by the new Komori is anticipated to bring sales for 2019 up to £4m. The firm employs 42 members of staff on 2,500sqm premises.
