The machine, which was installed in November, replaced manually operated machinery. PCS said the kit was purchased from another business but had been well maintained and undergone rigorous testing.
The Macclesfield, Cheshire-based company said the device would greatly enhance the efficiency and productivity of its manufacturing process, while also helping to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
The machine will reduce the company’s water usage by over 30,000 litres a year, cutting the amount of chemicals used in production and saving on energy consumption, which PCS said would contribute to its continuous commitment to sustainability.
With enhanced automation and an increased plate capacity, PCS said it has also been able to significantly reduce the need for manual labour and oversight within this part of the printing process without compromising on the quality of the output.
“We are thrilled to have been able to make this investment in a new integrated system for PCS and have already started to see the positive impact that this latest addition is having on our business growth and commitment to greener solutions,” said Adam Unsworth, managing director of PCS.
“Investing in the latest technology is part of our ongoing philosophy of providing a high standard end-to-end service for their customers and developing a more sustainable print service.”
34-staff PCS, which has just celebrated its 30-year anniversary, specialises in the production of eco-degradable cards made from recycled plastic that are used for gifting, loyalty and membership programmes, and by hotels.
The £5.8m-turnover firm was a double winner in last year’s Printweek Awards, where it won the coveted SME of the Year category and was also lauded with an Innovation Award for developing a fully recycled, and recyclable, PVC card.
Then last summer it was acquired by Woodberry Packaging, which bought the business from Tim Holt who co-founded PCS with Rob Nicholls in 1993 and became its sole owner after an MBO two and a half years ago.
