Following an extensive review of the market to find a replacement for its EFI Technique MIS, Buxton chief executive Kirk Galloway was convinced to take on Tharstern after seeing the software developer’s managing director Keith McMurtrie’s talk on customer experience at PrintWeekLive! in Coventry earlier this year.
The software was put in place earlier this month and will control “every aspect” of the Buxton-based B1 litho sheetfed specialist’s business, from estimating through to order processing, purchasing, production, delivery and invoicing.
Galloway said: “Tharstern look at things from a different perspective – as we do at Buxton – and I thought we could work well together and that they would be the best fit for our business requirements; both now and moving forwards.
“It gives us the ability to track the progress of every job at any stage in our production cycle instantly, easily and precisely and relay this information to clients. Information flow in general will become increasingly streamlined as the system is integrated with our other existing systems.
“We had no prior relationship with Tharstern but have been watching their progression and have been most impressed with their product, understanding and excellent approach from day one. It already feels like a partnership rather than a supplier-client arrangement, and this is just the start.”
Buxton will now undergo a six-month modular training and support regime to ensure a smooth transition to the new system, covering all aspects from estimating to invoicing. Galloway said he hoped it would take his company to “the next level”.
Three-time consecutive Company of the Year at the PrintWeek Awards, Buxton runs four Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106 B1 long-perfectors each with CutStars, in eight- and 10-colour formats, three stitching lines and three perfect binding lines.
Its newest perfect binder, a Kolbus KM 610, was confirmed for delivery in March and is expected to be installed over the summer.
The 140 staff, £23m-turnover firm prints 650 regular titles for more than 400 publishers.
