The Brighton-based company will install the machine on 2 August in its 604sqm site, continuing the financial streamlining process that was initiated when director Steve Poland and a former employee Lynn Brazier took over the business last year. The machine was supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS), overseen by technical sales representative Jason Smith, a former One Digital sales executive.
Brazier said: “We always used to farm out the work but we do so much of it that it makes financial sense to bring it in-house. We’ve always done a lot of lamination work but just never in-house, it was always outsourced, but since me and Steve [Poland] took over in April of last year we have been looking at all avenues and where we can tighten up.
“As much as the people we outsource to have been absolutely brilliant suppliers we always lose a day through laminating, so that in itself will improve. It also gives us the flexibility for the sake of 50 sheets and will make life a lot easier to put a lamination on covers.”
The B3-plus Foliant Vega 400A is a compact industrial laminating machine, running at a maximum speed of 18m/min with a film capacity of 3,000m. Due to its pneumatic high-pressure system, format and performance, the machine is said to be suitable for laminating all kinds of digitally printed sheets and can also be used to laminate B3-plus size litho-printed sheets.
The foiling unit is intended for short-run jobs as a cheaper alternative to foil blocking.
“We can be a lot more competitive on pricing now,” added Brazier.
“There was always a minimum charge whenever outsourcing and that will no longer apply and we will be more competitive on certain jobs.”
Soon after Brazier and Poland took over, One Digital invested in an HP Z6800 wide-format printer plus a Duplo bookletmaker, which Brazier said had made a “huge difference” to turnover, profit and turnaround times. It also runs a five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74, a Speedmaster SM 52, a black and white Xerox Nuvera and other finishing kit, with sales at just shy of £2m.
