The new machine, which was installed in January, will run alongside an existing Suprasetter A75 and help produce the 2,500 plates St Austell processes each month. It is part of an 18-month investment programme, the next part of which will be a yet-to-be-confirmed SRA1 press with LED-UV drying followed by finishing kit.
The new platesetter features an intelligent diode system that enables it to continue production if a diode fails.
“Our new 106 platesetter will support the production of all disciplines of jobs, including leaflets, brochures, booklets, posters, playing cards, greetings cards, folders and much more,” said St Austell marketing manager Matt Bunt.
“We are currently undertaking a significant investment programme to renew and enhance our equipment. This programme will continue over the next 18 months with investment in our bindery department, offering additional specialist finishing and increasing capacity in our digital department.”
St Austell offers both litho and digital printing, as well as fulfilling large-format jobs. It has a full range of finishing and bindery equipment, including a specialist Rollem finishing machine for the production of playing cards, as well as a consumer-facing web-to-print service.
The Cornwall-based printer evenly splits its work between national and regional clients, and adheres to a variety of corporate social responsibilities through its memberships to Print Power and Two Sides.
Managing director Peter Moody said: “As a prominent business, we believe it’s our responsibility to educate people on the sustainability and effectiveness of print. Day-to-day we ensure that sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.
“We work in a purpose-built factory, we recycle 100% of our paper waste, we responsibly source all our paper stock and use vegetable-based inks.
“As an established family business, we’re committed to supporting the community we call home, working closely with local charities and organisations and supporting the economy by employing local people, some of which have been with us for over 25 years.”
St Austell employs 50 staff that operate on a standard weekday double-day shift production schedule that includes extended operations when required.
