The Hertfordshire-based outfit followed up a £350,000 flexo kit investment last month by investing around £25,000 in the machine that was launched in April. Last Bros runs a labels division alongside the tabbing division and the two were merged into one company, Last Bros Allprint, on 1 August.

Director Jeff Last referred to the move as a “quantum leap in technology” as the business traded in a Xerox Colour 550 production printer. The Versant was supplied by Hertfordshire-based Xerox reseller Smart Print Technology.

Last said: “We thoroughly investigated the digital presses in our budget range and were very impressed with the quality and value the Xerox Versant 180 offers.

“As our business approaches its 70th year in 2018, we are very excited at the opportunities this new machine will bring us, it certainly enables us to substantially increase our productivity and at the same time greatly enhance quality.”

The machine runs at a top speed of 80ppm, taking paper weights from 52gsm to 350gsm at a maximum sheet size of 330x660mm. Last Bros’ machine has been configured with a high-capacity feeder and bookletmaker.

Suitable for a wide range of media types, it runs a Fiery EX 180 digital front end (DFE) and comes with an inline spectrophotometer for increased colour automation.

Last particularly emphasised the 660mm longsheet feed, DFE and finishing configurations as plus points. 

Sales and marketing executive Dean Latchford said: “It’s going to really increase productivity. The 550 needed replacing and it’s amazing how in a relatively short period of time it has really moved along in such a big way. It’s faster, more efficient and the quality is far superior." 

22-staff Last Bros is now considering investing further in finishing kit in the near future. The £1.5m-turnover business runs a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 52, along with Scott-Precision tabbing machines.