The Preston-based company has taken on four more staff since taking delivery of the machine in the middle of April along with a Zünd G3 digital cutter.
Sign Build managing director Mark Cowin said: “In April last year (2015) we went down to Sign & Digital in Birmingham and there was a demo on Canon’s stand. I spoke to a couple of people, expressed interest and then got a call about a week later and conversations started from there really.
“It took a while to put into practice but negotiations were great, it was very professionally done and part of the appeal from my point of view was using Canon and everything associated with the installation. Post-installation, they’ve been very good as well.”
Launched in January 2016, the Arizona 1200 series of UV flatbeds consists of the 1240, 1260 and 1280 models.
Aimed at the sign and display market, the 1280GT can print at speeds up to 34sqm/h, and takes media up to 51mm thick and sizes up to 1.25mx2.5m. It has an additional roll media option for flexible substrates up to 2.2m wide. List prices for the range start at £98,523.
Cowin said he had looked around after Sign & Digital and considered a Mimaki but he preferred the package he got from Canon, considering that it included the cutter.
Cowin is also pleased with the environmental benefits of the UV flatbed. He said: “You take out of the process the vinyl and the laminates, which are materials you can’t recycle.
“From my customers’ point of view, they have a corporate responsibility to reduce their environmental impact on the supply chain. I took that initiative without being asked.”
With the purchase of the Arizona, Sign Build is looking to increase its production, and move into the polypropylene safety signs market. It mainly produces signs for house building companies, with its biggest customers being Taylor Wimpey, Redrow Homes and Countryside Properties.
Cowin said the £2.5m-turnover company is looking to reach £3m by the end of this year. Including its recent new appointments the business now employs 22 in its 1,000sqm-premises.
