In February the business took on a Hunkeler offline roll-fed CS6-2 cutting system with offset stacked cut-sheet output, an MBO T535 Efficiency buckle folder, MBO A500 mobile stacking delivery and a Herzog + Heymann transfer unit type 850.3.
Integrity had initially started looking purely for a deep pile sheeter but, after reviewing its requirements, supplier Friedheim International came up with a proposal to build the fully integrated sheeter, folder and stacker line for the business, which can operate at speeds up to 150/min.
The company said the investment will enable it to reduce the number of processes involved in converting pre-printed reels to sheeted, folded and finished products.
It is anticipating new sales of £1m per annum as a direct result of the investment as it will now be able to compete more effectively in the market for press inserts and high volume leaflets.
Integrity managing director Mark Cornford said: “Integrity operate in a market where our clients expect world class manufacturing and we have partnered with Friedheim to ensure that we can meet this expectation.
“The equipment delivers the process improvement and efficiency benefits that are part of our strategy to transform our business into an agile and responsive print service provider.”
The company has also invested in an additional Bluecrest Mailstream Evolution nine-station continuous-feed inserting line.
The machine, which the company said has the same file-based integrity software that is demanded by its transactional customer base, will be fully commissioned and into live production by the second week of April.
The latest round of investment is part of Integrity’s proposed spend of more than £1m for 2019.
The company is also currently evaluating high-volume continuous inkjet and said it has already “engaged with several key suppliers from the inkjet arena”. It hopes to reveal more about its plans in this area during Q2 this year.
It also operates 25 narrow width litho web presses, nine integrated web finishing lines, six flexo label presses and two digital label presses. Its laser mail division runs four continuous and five cut-sheet laser lines supported by three high speed enclosing lines.
Integrity Print turns over £60m and employs 450 people across seven sites, with its main 17-acre manufacturing site based in Midsomer Norton, near Bath.
Historically a trade supplier, serving major UK brands through a network of brokers and print managers, the business produces print for sectors including the online retail, distribution, financial services, government and healthcare markets.
Late last year the company appointed Chris Walton as head of operations at its Transactional division, which it has recently expanded with the addition of a night shift and new staff.
