Based in Ormskirk, Lancashire, the 25-staff company had been assessing options from a number of manufacturers to replace its HP Indigo 5600, which had reached the end of its five-year lease.

After reviewing the market, the company opted for the Versafire based on its ROI calculations and it was installed in the first week of September.

Managing director Nick Jones said it offered “litho-like quality” with smoother tints and deeper solids. The Versafire has been integrated into the company’s Prinect workflow.

“We have at least halved our running costs with the new Versafire, and this has made us much more competitive,” said Jones.

“With the Heidelberg we can now present kinder costs to our customers, which has already drummed up increased interest.

“Now, we are winning around 90% of the business we are quoting, whereas previously we were probably winning between 40% and 50% so the change has already been noticeable."

The four-colour Versafire prints at a top speed of 130ppm simplex. It prints on a variety of substrates of between 52-400gsm, taking sheet size of up to 330x700mm.

Jones added: “The Versafire is green button technology and that ease of use means it will be much easier to find cover when our skilled operator is on holiday.

“With the Indigo, the press operator prepared each job and with so many short runs this meant there was extensive downtime. Now jobs are prepared for him and sent to the press."

Ultragraph is using the Versafire to run a number of short-run packaging jobs. The company also updated its Prinect workflow and upgraded its Signastation and Signapack Pro imposition software.

The company, which operates from a 1,200sqm premises, has been a Heidelberg customer for 20 years and also runs a 10-colour XL 75 litho press. Founded in 1973, clients include Matalan, Elegant Resorts and Harrison Leisure.