The five-colour Lithrone S29 with aqueous coater replaces a six-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 and was chosen for its quick makeready times for short and longer run lengths, said production manager Geoff Ovenden. The new machine cost around £590,000.

"We needed a machine that could deal easily with our litho colour work," he said. "Our run lengths average about 15,000 but we do short runs too, so a quick makeready and fast running speed was essential. Makeready times are around 12 to 15 minutes and we use Xing Graphics' processed plates.

"We strive to work smarter not harder so we needed to find a press with high automation, higher productivity and one that would progress our commitment to ensure our print is produced with minimal environmental impact."

His company designs, produces and delivers personalised leaflets for a national retail trading organisation. Other clients include government bodies, print management agencies, general commercial customers and the shipping trade.

Ovenden added: "Ever since my St Ives days, I’ve been a fan of Komori’s machines and their technical support. We liked the consistency of the sheets the Lithrone delivered, the minimal material waste and the capability to print entirely alcohol-free."

The new machine offered "complete flexibility" to use a range of coating finishes including soft touch and high gloss on any material without reducing the press running speed. His firm is constantly running at 16,000 sheets an hour on all types of jobs.

"Add to that the Lithrone S29’s ability to switch randomly from stocks as light as 80 gram to heavyweight board of 400 gram with little or no adjustments, and the overall result has been an immediate increase in productivity of around 30%."

Providence Integrated Print Solutions also runs a Xerox IGen4 and a two-colour Heidelberg GTO. For personalisation it uses Domino Inkjet systems fitted inline on two mailing machines. The company also provides a complete in-house fulfilment service.

"We have initiatives to minimise resources, energy, labour and noise levels. We are also committed to using presses awarded the BG emission test certificate and GS certification for environmental and health protection, and these are critical factors when investing."