The slitter-cutter-creaser was installed at the firm’s Rotherham production base in early February, supplied by Morgana Systems. It replaces an older AeroCut model that will be moved to its high-street premises in Barnsley.
Following a short trial with a different, lower-cost machine, owner John Brailsford resolved that his company was best-suited to the Uchida machines and elected to go for a straight upgrade.
“The difference in money between what we tried and the AeroCut One was quite substantial, but the Uchida was undeniably far superior,” said Brailsford. “You could just tell the difference in the quality of build and the finished applications.
“We will be putting together all sorts of small-quantity pieces on it, such as postcards and invitations, and we can carry out processes like perforations and creases. The great part is that you can assign a barcode to each application as you run it and then scan it back in for repeat jobs and the machine will set itself up.
“It is a very productive machine with a lot less operator intervention. I like to work with Morgana because the machines they sell are always built with the printer in mind, and the fact Uchida is in their portfolio is very telling of its quality.”
The Japanese-manufactured Uchida AeroCut One features two single-blade and two double-blade slitters that can handle stocks up to 400gsm, can take paper sizes up to 370x520mm and runs at speeds up to 924 A4 sph. The company also ordered a Canny Bander to support the AeroCut's output.
John Brailsford Printers previously turned to Morgana in September last year when it took on a new Pro 450 laminator at its Rotherham facility with a foiling add-on to enhance its offering.
Spanning two bases in South Yorkshire, the firm employs 12 members of staff and turns over £1.2m, though Brailsford said he anticipated sales may double in 2019 as the Brexit fog clears even as the government delays action.
“People erred on the side of caution because of Brexit,” he said. “But we noticed last month that our sales have been enormously busy, and it is starting to feel like the old days. I think the reaction from the business community is increasingly being to carry on regardless.”
