The Harrogate-based firm first mooted the investment last summer. Now confirmed, the £750,000 four-colour press will be delivered on 19 February.
It joins an existing five-colour Lithrone with coater and will replace the firm’s other Komori Spica press. Platinum also runs a range of digital printing and finishing kit and its services include wide-format work, cross-media and mailing.
Mark Plummer, who was promoted to the role of managing director of the business last month from his previous role as production director, said the new Komori would improve production efficiencies and turnaround times due to instant drying.
“We are always looking to remove bottlenecks. We produce a lot of short-run, fast turnaround work on uncoated stocks and the new press means jobs won’t be hanging around on the shopfloor, they will be able to go straight through to finishing.
“There are no drying or rubbing issues, and another benefit is the elimination of spray powder,” he added.
Komori cites a number of benefits for the H-UV drying system, including a compact design that means it fits inside the press. CO2 emissions are about a quarter of that of conventional UV systems, says the manufacturer, and H-UV does not discharge any ozone making ducting unnecessary. It also produces less heat than conventional UV setups.
Plummer said the H-UV system would bolster the ISO 14001 accredited firm’s array of environmental initiatives.
The addition of the new press also provides significant additional capacity that will help the company maximise production on its double-day shift operation. The firm has turnover of £3.2m and employs 29 staff at its 1,672sqm site.
“We are seriously looking at bringing on board an apprentice,” Plummer added.
Platinum works for a wide range of clients across Yorkshire, including landmark local café and beverage business Bettys & Taylors Group. The printer also has a growing web-to-print business.
Former managing director David Wyvill, who co-founded the business 25 years ago with his wife Marina, the firm’s finance director, has moved into a strategic role looking at ways to further develop Platinum’s digital and web-to-print solutions.
