Delivered in November last year, the firm spent several months familiarising themselves with the capabilities of the 2.5x1.5m flatbed, before going into full production in January. In February it went into 24/7 production.
The machine cost “in excess of £100,000”, according to managing director Deborah Walker, who added that Leicester-headquartered RDD can now offer a full end-to-end service in POS production, from design and print through to assembly and aftercare.
“We had no printing capabilities until we landed on this idea,” said Walker. “At RDD, we pride ourselves on quality and what we were getting for our print was not good enough. Every time we rejected a job we were sent to the back of the queue.
“Having this machine means we can control the quality of our work, which incorporates the design and development of our clients’ ideas. We chose it after calling a local contact who recommended the Anapurna. A little bit of research made the decision a no-brainer.”
The FB2540i was selected by RDD because of its compatibility with acrylics – which the firm works with regularly. The six-colour plus white flatbed prints at up to 96sqm/hr and runs with Agfa’s Asanti workflow.
RDD’s plan for the next year is, according to Walker, to “consolidate” its newfound capabilities and cultivate the opportunities the new printer has presented the firm with new and existing clients. She said a second printer may be considered in a year’s time.
A number of RDD’s staff were trained to use the Anapurna ahead of it moving into full production, and some staff have been promoted into print-centric positions from the design and development sides of the business.
RDD Creative employs around 50 members of staff across three sites – the 1,160sqm headquarters in Leicester, where the Anapurna runs alongside a workshop, a second Leicester unit for design, development and joinery, and a design and development studio in Sheffield.
The firm turns over £2m, jumping up from £200,000 per year when it was first established four years ago.
