Through its cloud-based multichannel communication platforms, Aceni and Epay, Datagraphic streamlines the distribution of its clients’ most time-critical outbound mail by securely automating the production and delivery of customer and employee-facing documents, from council tax bills and medical appointments to payslips and pension letters.

The company was looking to replace its existing printers to keep up with the increasing demands from its SLAs and evolving client needs. After researching the market and considering several suppliers, it decided the machinery from Canon – who it has not bought from before – was best suited to its requirements.

Both due to go into the company’s circa-3,700sqm Rugby production centre, which handles all outbound production, the iX3200 will be installed in July, while the ColorStream 8133 is due to follow in October. Representing a total investment of over £2m, the machines are replacing some of the company’s Xerox kit.

It also operates Riso envelope overprinting kit, a Morgan 904 colour web press, specialist mailing equipment from Bowe, Kern and Neopost (now Quadient), and a wide range of finishing kit from Morgana, KAS, Polar, Kern and more.

Datagraphic, whose head office is based in Chesterfield, said the two new Canon machines would take its speed, productivity and quality “to unprecedented levels”.

The ColorStream 8133 enhances automation with its high-performance software platform, Prismaproduction, which optimises workflows and offers flexible integration when processing data and converting files, enabling Datagraphic to deliver 60% more capacity than ever before.

This boost will support the company’s same-day-despatch service, facilitating business growth and meeting client expectations for shorter turnaround times.

Sustainability was another crucial factor for Datagraphic in selecting a partner. The business has its near-term, long-term, and net-zero targets approved and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), is a signatory to the Climate Pledge, has a net zero by 2040 target, and has a comprehensive published Social Impact Strategy.

It said that with its new devices and Canon’s support, it will be able to further minimise emissions, waste, and energy consumption, while contributing to the circular economy by recycling parts following industry-standard processes.

Datagraphic marketing director Suzanne Beech told Printweek: “I think for us the big thing is the extra capacity you can get in that same footprint.

“With us being so time critical, we’ve very often got late SLAs in the day, and we have to get mail in and out on the same day that we receive the files, so having 60% extra capacity really does support that growth, and the need for same-day mailings.”

Managing director Sarah Butler said the company’s production volumes are growing by around 10% year-on-year and that its equipment capacity and reliability, and the support infrastructure to maintain service continuity, are crucial.

She said: “From the outset, Canon’s enthusiasm matched ours for developing a long-term partnership based on shared values to help us continue our growth journey and to do it with a proven partner in a sustainable way.

“The team here and I are excited by this next chapter and what working with Canon now will bring for our organisation.”

The official signing of the deal was at the recent Drupa show in Düsseldorf, although the two parties had been working on the groundwork ahead of the show.

Stuart Rising, head of commercial print at Canon UK and Ireland, commented: “This is an exciting time for Canon to unveil our new partnership with Datagraphic at this year’s Drupa.

“We worked very closely with Datagraphic to ensure we completely understood its business, sustainability and client needs to help them reach their next level of growth.

The VarioPrint iX3200 and Canon ColorStream 8133, as well as our outstanding customer service, will be fundamental in ensuring the business maintains its position as a leader in the multichannel communications industry.”

Working with the public sector, financial services businesses and larger enterprises, Datagraphic employs 102 staff across both sites.