Clive Jaques, managing director at A&R, told PrintWeek: "We got a better deal buying two machines rather than one. Printworks managing director Paul Robinson and I know each other well, and we have worked for each other's customers for 10 years.
"I think if you have a good working relationship and it is somebody that you can trust then it can only be a good thing, especially in the current financial climate. It’s the first time I had ever thought of doing it, but you do have to know the other half."
Jaques said that his company bought the machine because it was looking to attract more trade work and the DuCreaser improved throughput speed. Previously the company had hand-finished work.
A&R has a turnover of £150,000 and employs four staff, although the purchase of the DuCreaser will see that increase to five in the coming months. Jaques said that his company would be looking to bring in an apprentice to fill the new role.
During Northprint, Duplo also finalised a sale of a System 5000 bookletmaker to Prontaprint Dundee.
Peter Jolly, marketing manager at Duplo, said: "We had been talking with Prontaprint before the show but for them to show up and sign for the machine was a pleasant surprise.
"We picked up over 120 leads at the show and there was a lot of interest in the new UV coater. I think that justifies our presence at the show."
A&R buys DuCreaser on behalf of local printer to cut its costs
Sheffield-based A&R Trade Print has said printers should work together in order to boost purchasing power, as the trade printer signed for two DC445 DuCreasers at Northprint on Thursday - one for itself and one for another local printer.
