Billed as a “statement of intent” by managing director Gareth Roberts, the investment represents a jump in the Portsmouth printer’s short-run firepower, as well as a continuing vote of confidence in its litho business.
The investment follows hot on the heels of February's £2.1m purchase of a Speedmaster XL 75 eight-colour press and an Autobond laminator.
The HP Indigo 100k, already delivered and expected to come online by October, will replace a B3 HP Indigo 7800, leaving Bishops with a doubled-up B2 digital production floor.
“I like the symmetry,” Roberts told Printweek.
“We’ve enjoyed a good relationship with Indigo, and they have been a really good partner.”
Arriving in mid-October to go alongside the Indigo is a brand-new Horizon BQ-500 iCE perfect binder, which represents a spend of around £250,000.
The investment in Indigo and Horizon alike are intended to bolster Bishops’ shorter-run capacity, in a market that is increasingly likely to see spikes in demand.
With the new 100K, Bishops will effectively see a 100% increase in its print capacity overnight – and with recruitment and training planned for a number of new personnel, capacity is set to increase further.
While Roberts affirmed that Bishops would remain “first and foremost” a litho printer, he was confident the investment in digital capacity would provide further opportunity for growth.
“I think the exciting thing is, it gives the opportunity for the business to grow in a way in which it probably hasn’t had the opportunity for this year, because our sales opportunities had been defined by production capacity,” he said.
Alongside the digital investment is a brand-new 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 litho press, replacing one of Bishops’ older presses.
Roberts said: “It’s a big decision to invest in both B2 digital and the new Heidelberg, but I feel we have to approach next year with a bit of cautious confidence.
“If we don’t keep investing, I worry that we would fall behind in efficiencies and productivity.”
Roberts said he felt sure about the near future: “I am confident, and I know the staff feel that – and I hope the customers get a sense of it as well.
“The investments set us up nicely for a really positive challenge.”
