This story about Cypher Digital investing in a Duplo DC-645 finishing device reminded me about a quote that I highlighted during our on-site Ipex coverage, when Synergie Group's Terry Hannam invested (as it happens) in the same kit. Hannam said: "By getting rid of so many standalone processes, it's getting to the stage where it's like a photocopier for finishing... You press the green button and out it comes, and that's only going to increase."

Hannam was spot on in the description "like a photocopier for finishing". This will doubtless make some people throw their hands up in horror at the potential eradication of yet more skilled roles, although it doesn't have to be that way.  Coincidentally, a separate Ipex conversation with Tony Jones and Darren Coxon from Pensord involved them scoping out post-press kit that would, similarly, provide greater efficiencies - not with the aim of reducing headcount, but with the intention of growing the business without having to increase overhead costs, at the same time allowing them to redeploy people into other roles where their skills and expertise can add more value.

Nifty kit of this ilk is not the exclusive preserve of Duplo. Morgana, Caslon and Kern are among the names that spring to mind when thinking about clever bits of finishing equipment that reduce standalone processes and are extremely simple to operate. As if by magic, this example from Morgana appears in today's news.

The latest finishing developments are resulting in the discipline evolving from a fiddly bottleneck to an automated, push-button profit generator. To my mind this is just as interesting as any shiny, headline-grabbing new press.