Joint managing director Graham Moorby said that the last event, which took place at the end of June, saw tens of companies descend on its showroom. "It was incredibly busy," he said. "We hadn't really done this sort of thing before; it was great for people to get the opportunity to see the machines even if they weren't in a position in their buying cycle to buy.
"It also solves the nice problem to have of trying to keep machines in stock."
This time around, the distributor is hoping to allocate specific times so that visitors can familiarise themselves with the press and its capabilities, which include CIP networking, auto-plate change, stream feeding, touch-screen ink profile adjustment, auto wash-up and remote register control.
Moorby said that the profile of potential customers was changing to include everyone from owner operators to larger-format commercial printers looking to add B3 for short runs, even replacing some digital volume.
"Increasingly we're seeing larger formats also looking at B3. And we're seeing some people use it to produce work that would have been done digitally. It has the edge on quality over digital and we've had some customers put 50 sheets through," he said, adding short makeready times and the absence of a click charge made it more attractive.
"We sold our first press in 2006 I think - and I take a lot of pleasure in the customers that are coming in to see us now. The questions we get are no longer about who it is that makes it, or the build quality. Now it's all about the quality of the print."
He added that some customers were taking out relatively new machines from better known rivals to replace with Hans Gronhi presses in order to reduce repayments while others were taken by the low depreciation of such economically priced models.
Moorby also said Hans Gronhi had extended its range into B2 with a B2 model already on sale in China. He said he had seen the specification and expected it to form part of the Chinese manufacturer's presence at Drupa.
Printers interested in attending the open day should call 0113 2088 500.
See also:
Hollinger Print targets "next level" following Hans Gronhi investment
Allison Printers takes UK's first secondhand Hans Gronhi
DA Printers buys B3 Hans Gronhi to handle short-run demand
Richardson Printing opts for Hans-Gronhi for B3 specialist work
