Hull-based Jadan will be drafting in the new digital printer to replace a five-year-old Ricoh Pro C901 which will remain onsite as a back-up option. The EV is set to arrive by early August.
Jadan intends to use the new investment to expand its capabilities into the five-colour and promotional markets. The EV, an OEM of Ricoh’s Pro C7200X, will be receive service and support from both Heidelberg and Ricoh at Jadan’s premises.
“We took a look around the market, but we have always been happy with Heidelberg,” said Jadan managing director Pam Wainman. “Once they started collaborating with Ricoh on digital print, it was a perfect match for us that we have enjoyed the benefits of.
“Now we have increased our print facilities and can offer new jobs, such as short-run A4 six-page jobs, that would have originally been done on litho. Though we are still a litho-dominated operation, this additional capability will make us more competitive.
“At Jadan, we have always favoured Heidelberg presses because they are the Rolls Royce of the industry – good service and high quality of print. We maintain our loyalty to them because we can rely on what we get from them.”
Heidelberg’s five-colour EV, first announced in March, can house white, clear or neon inks in its fifth unit – and Wainman plans to explore all three options while researching new markets. It prints at speeds from 85-95ppm at A4 with a maximum resolution of 4,800x2,400dpi onto stock weighing up to 360gsm.
Following on from the installation, Jadan will set its sights on expansion into European territories beyond its initial overseas customer base in the Netherlands, though this depends on the outcome of Brexit according to Wainman.
The commercial printer just bought the vacant premises next door in order to expand into it once additional funding has been granted. The move will allow Jadan to accommodate its territorial expansion, as well as the addition of new staff to its 20-strong team.
Jadan Press currently turns over £1.5m. Its litho capabilities comprise two Speedmaster 74s, one five- and one six-colour – while its finishing capabilities include folding, laminating, foiling, wire binding and perfect binding.
