The collaboration between the two manufacturers over development of the high-speed device for the sign and display market was announced just under two years ago.
The HS Series is a modular system with a print width of up to 1.6m, and a potential output of over 6,000sqm/hr depending on the setup and with options including top or bottom feeding. Material width is up to 1.7m.
Linney has invested in a HS6000 model with top feeding and top stacking. The deal was signed at Drupa.
The group provides a wide range of creative marketing services alongside specific types of in-house print production at its 35-acre Mansfield supersite.
Linney was an early adopter of Inca Onset printers 15 years ago, and executive director Charles Linney said the firm’s relationship with Fujifilm had been “very important” to the business ever since.
He said: “We strongly feel that the time for single-pass inkjet is here; we wanted something with reliability, speed, quality and excellent up-time in equal measure.
“On all of these measures, the HS Series has hugely impressed us. It’s five-to-ten times faster than the previous technology, the quality is fantastic, and our operators have been mightily impressed.”
Linney also said the HS6000 would “help us cater for the ever increasing speed to market that our clients need”.
David Burton, CCO at Fujifilm Wide Format Inkjet Systems said he was delighted that long-term partner Linney had chosen the HS.
“We look forward to an even closer partnership in the coming years, as we work with them as they develop the business further.”
Barberán is a long-standing user of Epson printheads on its digital devices. The 600dpi HS Series uses Fujifilm Uvijet inks and primer developed at Fujifilm’s Broadstairs facility in Kent. It can print onto a wide range of media types.
Barberán owner Jesús Barberán commented: “We’re hugely excited to be working with Fujifilm on the HS Series project and we’re delighted to welcome our first customer for this ground-breaking platform.
“Linney, like Barberán, is a family business. And like us, over the decades, they’ve grown by investing in the future and by leading the way in adopting new technologies.
“We look forward to a long successful future working together.”
Printweek understands that Linney will install its HS6000 in a new building at its supersite, with installation set for next year after the machine has been built to order.
As well as display, packaging, secure print and mailing and fulfilment, Linney also offers managed print services.
Sixth-generation family firm Linney was established in 1851 and is approaching 175 years in business.
The group has sales of around £120m and employs 1,200 people.
Pictured on the Barberán stand at Drupa, left to right: Oliver Mills, marketing manager Fujifilm WFIJ Systems; Eladio Lerga I+D engineer and Dennis van Ijzerloo export manager from Barberán; Charles Linney and Ian Barradell group procurement manager at Linney; and Nigel McNae Fujifilm WFIJ Systems business manager.
