Following Paragon Group’s acquisition of Kingswood from administration in July, the parent merged its new acquisition into the Service Point branch network and London-based Kingswood relocated its staff and kit to Service Point’s 650sqm branch in Clerkenwell.
The £500,000 spend was spread across Paragon Service Point’s 22 branches nationwide and saw a range of Duplo machines installed during December.
Kingswood initally ordered a DuSense last year, but the deal stalled when the company fell into administration. However, following its acquisition by Paragon the business reopened discussions.
Kingswood iOptus managing director Alan Rigglesford said: “Every store in the UK has been renewed and exactly what machines went where was very carefully thought through. They all represent expansions and increased capacity. Many processes that some stores had to send out have now been brought in-house.
“We have a very good relationship with Duplo, especially myself as I have worked with them for many years.
“In terms of our integration into Paragon, we have been part of the group now for more than six months and we are in good shape and have seen a big lift in staff morale.”
The Duplo DuSense has been installed specifically to fulfil promotional material requirements for one of the operation’s larger clients. A spot UV printer running 600dpi inkjet printheads, it runs at 1,080sph on a maximum sheet size of 364x740mm.
A Komfi Amiga 52 laminator was also taken on at Kingswood and has allowed the site to fully automate its lamination process, running at a maximum speed of 35m/min on paper weights from 115-600gsm.
Paragon Service Point is part of Paragon Graphic Services business, which contributes around £100m to €800m (£700m) turnover Paragon Group.
Paragon Graphics operations director, Mark Pearson said: “This is an exciting investment and the finishing equipment completes our three year investment plan for Service Point UK to pave the way for significant growth in the on demand digital market, supplying print at point of demand.
“This is on the back of three large acquisitions for Service Point in the last seven months as we have expanded our other key offering in large format display solutions with Kingswood, Magenta Display and Service Graphics coming into the UK division. Our growth strategy is working and this investment with Duplo will help us further increase sales within Paragon Service Point in 2019.”
