The new equipment has been installed since the beginning of the year, and included three new Epic inserting lines from Bluecrest and six Neopost folder-inserters.
Adare SEC, which also has a site in Redditch, said the setup would allow the firm to shorten turnaround times on high-volume work for its large corporate clients, while at the same time offering increased versatility for customers that need smaller runs and more bespoke work.
The business offers a range of multi-channel communication services as well as inbound document management.
The spend also included upgrades to some existing systems, with the firm adding servo fold plates and additional cameras to two existing Bluecrest Mailstream Productivity Series inserters and a further two Bluecrest Mailstream Evolution inserting systems to reduce makeready times and increase flexibility.
It has also invested in Bluecrest’s DF Works production workflow software, which would “improve its management of machine integrity and the reconciliation process, including multi-site resilience”.
In addition, it has access to Bluecrest’s DirectView performance and productivity monitoring systems for detailed insights into machine downtime and overall efficiency.
The new setup means the business can now process around 1.5m mail packs per day. The systems were deployed during lockdown when Adare SEC produced nearly 4m copies of the Prime Minister’s Covid-19 letter to the nation in March.
The huge job was split across a number of print suppliers.
Adare SEC chief operating officer Tom Prestwich said the £3m spend was “testament to our client-centric focus” and the automation aspect would enhance quality and compliance.
“Our commitment to best in class operations means we are always looking to continuously improve the quality and speed of an ever-increasing variety of customer communications needs,” he said.
“By combining first rate equipment with enhanced technology capabilities, we are able to reduce our reliance on manual intervention and increase process automation. Benchmark data has already demonstrated that we are reporting best-in-class machine efficiencies. This allows us to increase the quality of the outcomes we are able to deliver, continuing to exceed expectations for a wide variety of businesses across a diverse range of industry sectors.”
He said the increased efficiency of had already reduced the firm’s environmental impact “by cutting waste and increasing energy efficiency, all of which will contribute to a prompt payback period and benefit the service we can provide to our customers.”
In April £71.4m turnover Adare SEC filed a big improvement in financial performance under fresh CEO Rachael Nevins.
Adare SEC was spun off as part of a two-way split of the former Adare Group three years ago, with print management wing Adare International operating as a separate entity.
Both Adare SEC and Adare International are owned by private equity house Endless.
