Replacing an “ancient” eight-colour 250mm water-based Nilpeter line, which was bought secondhand eight years ago, the six-colour 350mm UV press has come equipped with a screen module and camera-based EZ-Reg registration system, which autonomously sets controls in X and Y.

Until now, around 80% of Bristol Labels’ work has been on the digital side, run through the company’s HP Indigo, managing director Ben Stokes told Printweek.

The latest purchase, however, installed over several weeks in late April 2023, will allow the nine-strong firm to aggressively target expansion of its flexo printing activity.

Stokes said: “The biggest growth opportunity is on the flexo side.

“I made the decision to get rid of the old press and buy the Edale UV press brand new, with screen, which a lot of people don’t have, and attack the flexo market.”

The South West, home to a huge number of food and drinks producers, is ripe territory for an expanding business with smaller overheads like his own, Stokes explained, and the new press has already enabled Bristol Labels to entertain conversations previously out of its reach.

The company is currently in the process of producing test-runs for several large prospective clients.

Stokes added that the work brought in by the new press could easily double the company’s turnover, probably within the next 18 to 24 months.

He said: “If I’m being perfectly honest, I would like to do it within 12. With the conversations I’m having, the ability and capacity we have on the press, [it’s feasible.]

“It’s almost like we’re starting a new business, because we have full capacity now.”

The 20% of turnover that Bristol Labels gained from the older press can now be run through the Edale at triple or quadruple the speed, he added.

“We’re sat ready and waiting,” he said.

With such a significant investment, it was no sure thing that Bristol Labels would have bought from Edale – but, Stokes said, the companies seemed to be an obvious fit.

He added: “Edale just had the appetite. I was very eager to get the press, and their hunger matched mine. With other manufacturers, it felt more transactional.

“The quality of the press was a huge factor, obviously, but I also liked what the company stood for, and the fact they are just two hours away from us.”