Cheltenham-based commercial outfit Typecraft’s parent Finnick Group bought local large-format operation Mark Latchford in 2017 and has since run the subsidiary under its original name. As of October this year, Mark Latchford’s staff and kit will be moved to Typecraft’s premises, at which point its branding will be absorbed into Typecraft as well.
Typecraft will bring over a range of large-format kit, including an Agfa Anapurna M2500i UV hybrid system, and take the opportunity to offload an ageing Colex SharpCut flatbed cutter and replace it with the new X24 from large-format dealer CMYUK.
“Our work this year has been completely focused on getting Mark Latchford into our main building and merging the brands,” said Typecraft operations director Matt Magovern. “It will let us streamline our operation and coordinate our deliveries and improve turnaround.
“We went to Sign & Digital in April and looked at all sorts of machines including Zünd and Esko when we found that the X24 fitted us best.
“It is being taken on with capabilities such as the diamond polishing tool and all sorts of cutting tools that allows us to work with materials that we could not before, or which we needed to use mounting kit to complete. Essentially, it gives customers everything they have been used to plus more.”
To make room for Mark Latchford’s portfolio and the new Kongsberg, Typecraft will add 280sqm to its 560sqm base by taking on space in the unit next door.
Esko’s Kongsberg X24 cutter has a 1.6x3.2m flatbed and cuts at a maximum speed of 30m/min. At Typecraft, it will run a MultiCut-HP tool head with an air-cooled milling spindle that allows for higher productivity and work on heavy-duty materials such as thick sheets of acrylic, wood and aluminium composite.
It has a list price of around £90,000.
Typecraft runs a range of printing kit across its facilities, with machinery on its main site including two Ricoh Pro sheetfed digital presses, a C9100 and a C7200, as well as three DesignJet Z6200s and a Latex 360 from HP, a Mimaki solvent system, a Summa vinyl cutter and a gamut of finishing kit for lamination, mounting, bookletmaking and guillotining.
The £1.6m-turnover company employs 20 staff.
