Heidelberg UK has taken orders for three more 12-colour Speedmaster 102s.


TL Visuals near Bristol will take delivery of its multi-unit B1 machine in the autumn, but the other two recipients have not been named.


There are two 12-colours already up and running at Westdale Press in Cardiff and Maurice Payne in Theale. Payne will become the first printer in the world to have two of the machines when its second arrives in December (PrintWeek, 11 May).


The addition of the 12-colour at TL comes in a year in which the firm has already installed a B1 Speedmaster CD 102 and a B3 Speedmaster 52.


TLs previous kit line-up comprised a six-colour B1 and two B2 Speedmasters, but managing director Charles Lewitt said the new machines would enable it to increase its range and volume of work.


"We have customers that have very long runs and they want the same quality on the shorter runs," he said.


Lewitt explained that much of the companys work was five-colour plus seal, so the 12-colour "was an obvious choice". He was also impressed with its performance during trials in Germany "on jobs that were not easy".


TL has also made investments in its bindery in a B1 folder and an ST 300 stitcher and it has recently installed a CIP3 Prepress Interface with Image Control. Lewitt claimed that once the 12-colour arrives all the firms core kit will be under three years old.


TL employs around 60 staff and is on course for sales of approximately 8m this year. But Lewitt expects turnover to increase by 25% in 2002 on the back of its investments.


Story by Lauretta Roberts