UPG, part of the Picture Playground Group (PPG), has seen rapid growth, doubling in turnover over the past two years. Run by two brothers, Kier and Tallis Simons, it is also due to open a retail POS and visual merchandising innovation hub in Rochester in early 2023.

The new Jeti Tauro has joined the firm’s existing Agfa Anapurna H3200i LED press, which has been the workhorse of the POS and retail specialist’s operation. It was installed in September.

“We may have been happy with the Anapurna, but that did not guarantee the Jeti Tauro sale,” said Kier Simons, CEO of PPG.

Before making a decision, he and Tallis visited Agfa in Antwerp to see the machine in action.

“Agfa were very receptive and understanding of a relatively new business and they have delivered what they agreed to do in every way. 

“The installation was super smooth and we have been blown away by the high quality that the Jeti Tauro engine produces, it’s flawless and so versatile.”

The new Tauro slotted directly into the firm’s manufacturing base in Ashford. Expanding into a second unit to accommodate the new machine – and future growth plans – UPG now has 1,020sqm of manufacturing space there.

Simons was particularly excited by the potential to break into new markets with the Tauro – while the business largely prints POS on rigid and corrugated substrates, he said the Tauro has seen “great results” on textiles, too.

“We have produced great, high quality and large volume light box textiles for high street retailers, and with the flexible UV inks from Agfa, we have folded and mailed out the finished product to stores without bruising or cracking. It has opened up a new revenue stream, and our customers have been very impressed,” he added.

UPG, which employs 20 staff across its Ashford site and London support team, has been forecasted to reach £2m in turnover by the end of 2022.