Pelican Print targets expansion following Heidelberg Speedmaster investment

Pelican Print has cut makereadies by a fifth and is targeting a 30% increase in sales after taken delivery of its new press, a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM74.

The Aylesbury-based business has replaced a 10-year-old Komori machine with the five-colour plus coater press, a move the company said would boost productivity.

According to Gerald Costello, joint managing director with Scott Brookes, it was imperative to invest in high-quality, up-to-date equipment to remain competitive in a "tough" marketplace.

"In this day and age, productivity is the key to profit, so we needed the right equipment. Our older Komori machine was fantastic, but the new Heidelberg has enabled us to cut makereadies from nearly an hour to 10 minutes," he said.

The Speedmaster is producing short-run, multi-page work such as coated brochures, while other work is placed on the company's HP and Canon digital presses.

Pelican Print caters for a wide range of clients, from charities and councils to agencies and small print management businesses, with no customer accounting for more than 12% of its turnover.

The company, which is targeting an increase in sales from £2.7m to £3.5m in the next 18 months, will also repurpose one press minder as a result of the investment.

Costello added: "A press investment is more than just buying a machine; it is about a long term partnership. We already buy our inks from Heidelberg and have Polar guillotines, Stahlfolders and a Stitchmaster saddle-stitcher from them.

"Our purchase of a Heidelberg shows our clients that we are investing in the best equipment."