The Kendal, Cumbria-based business took delivery of the Ricoh Pro C9200 around two weeks ago. Bought direct from the manufacturer, it has replaced the company’s previous Ricoh Pro C7100X machine.
This device comes with the new 700mm vacuum fed inline trays, allowing for the improved feeding and running of long sheet digital print.
Director Alistair Sanderson told Printweek: “It has opened up better and quicker options for short-run A4 landscape booklets, along with document folders and other applications. We are also running the brand-new matt fusing technology that allows for a softer more litho like finish on uncoated stocks.”
He added: “The new machine increases our capacity for longer runs, with improved image quality and better registration, along with a much greater range of stocks. This compliments our current B2 litho set up, allowing us to swap jobs to the most suitable machine at anytime.”
Sanderson said the business looked at all the major machines available in the digital toner sheet-fed market and decided the Ricoh was still the best fit for its requirements “although we did opt for the larger machine as we felt this offers the most flexibility in the changing marketplace”.
The company took delivery of the D&K Europa B2 laminator in early November. Supplied by Ashgrove Trading, the machine features the option for digital foil.
“Previously we have outsourced our laminating, however this allows us to bring the majority back in-house,” said Sanderson.
“It particularly complements the new digital press and allows us to cost-effectively produce short-run laminated and foiled work in-house. This is a great addition to the factory and will also provide an alternative to the gloss and white toner that we no longer have on the digital press.”
These two machines followed investment earlier this year in a 40kWh solar install on its roof, which has been up and running since late May.
“This has worked well over the summer months and has provided approximately 50% of our electricity used since install, which with the current energy market is useful to the business,” said Sanderson.
“We hope to see continued benefit from this investment over the next 20-plus years. This is all part of our continued commitment to be as green as we can and offer our customers sustainable print. Especially as we are based on the edge of the Lake District.”
Also offering services including folding, cutting, and bookletmaking in-house, MTP Media operates out of circa-550sqm premises, which it is looking to increase in the future although “the cost of building is currently too high to justify the gain”, Sanderson added.
It works for sectors including hospitality, tourism, education and general marketing for all kinds of businesses, as well as high end designers, producing items ranging from high quality books to tourist leaflets “and everything in between”.
