The new Vutek was installed in Super-Wide’s Rossendale, Lancashire premises for an undisclosed fee last Monday (3 April) and is already working smoothly, according to Super-Wide business development manager Luke Drogan.
Birmingham-based Hollywood Monster became the first UK company to take the machine last month.
EFI launched the machine, along with the Vutek 3r and Vutek FabriVU 520, at its annual Connect user conference last January. It claims world-beating production speeds of 455sqm/hr.
The installation rounds off a six-month investment programme, which has seen Super-Wide bring in an EFI Vutek LX3, a FabriVU 340, a Vutek HS125 and a laser cutter. Drogan said the 35-staff business would consider bringing in another 5r in around six months’ time.
Super-Wide will also be looking to expand its 4,200sqm premises by a further 930sqm later in the year.
Drogan said: “We work closely with EFI and have seen the development [of the 5r], it’s an advancement on an existing machine, the Quantum machine from Matan, so we know the technology and we know that it is going to work so it doesn’t feel much of a risk.”
With a resolution of up to 1,200dpi, the Vutek LED roll-to-roll 5r can handle a variety of flexible and rigid media, making it suitable for applications including building wraps, billboards, fine art, floor graphics, POP, signage, tradeshow graphics and wallpaper. The device uses Matan technology to incorporate its inline finishing system.
“There is no compromise when it comes to speed or quality,” added Drogan.
“We will be able to output of course at a very high resolution. In terms of print we’ve already got massive capacity but the way that this is going to affect us is lead to more investment in additional finishing machinery so we’re considering quicker ways to finish the output from the print without adding too many members of staff.”
Super-Wide has recently brought in an additional print operator for the 5r and is adding four more members of staff to its roster over the next few months. It aims to double its £4.5m turnover within 18 months.
The business, which was founded by Drogan’s father Anthony in 2000, also runs six other super-wide Vutek machines, a 5m-wide Durst, two 3.2m-wide Mtex dye sublimation printers and six HP Latex machines, along with finishing equipment.
Earlier this month, EFI said it will likely bring the 5r and the FabriVU to May’s wide-format flagship Fespa trade show in Hamburg.
