Describe your business
We’re both a digital and litho printer and a manufacturer of promotional products, with six sites across the UK. We deal with variable data, data handling, fulfilment and manufacture diaries and calendars for the trade too.

Why did you purchase the machine?
We have six NexPress machines altogether – we bought this one mainly to increase capacity but it also offered some unique aspects, particularly dimensional inks. We also opted to stay with Kodak for other reasons, mainly our experience of the quality its machines provide.

What features do you particularly like?
The key is the dimensional inks – you can feel the print as well as see it. The 3D effect, along with the shading differences the toners can achieve, increases the perceived value of the product. The machine is also much faster than previous models.

Is there anything that you dislike?
We wish it had a larger sheet size. However, we have bought a new model, ready for installation in the new year, that will address this problem.

How fast is it?
The SE3000 NexPress prints 100 A4 pages per minute in five colours and on all stock weights.

How reliable is it?
Exceptionally. Uniquely, this machine is operator maintained so we are in control of a lot of the parts – we have less downtime than if we had to wait around for engineers.

What’s the quality like?
Very good.

Did this machine require additional training for staff?
We have obviously had skilled staff who have run this type of machine for several years, which made the new press easier to use. We did carry out some extra training; most people can run the machine after a week-long course.

Would you say that it has won you new business?
Definitely. We sent a mailing to 20 staff at one company, a postcard using dimensional inks. The phone rang immediately – they bought into it straight away. In terms of winning new business, it is our ace card. In terms of cost to the end user, in the main, the price difference of using dimensional inks is insignificant. If you’re going to have a big A3 sheet with a lot of ink coverage, you could be talking about a 25p increase to the end user, but that sort of figure is only with very heavy coverage.

Has it saved you time or money?
It has saved us time because it is faster – it is nearly 50% faster than older machines. It has certainly made more money because of the unique qualities it has over the older machines – namely the dimensional inks.

Would you say that it offers value for money?
Yes, very good value when compared to competitors.

Did the installation run to plan?
Yes.

How was the pre- and after-sale service?
Kodak is extremely good at supporting the dealer and it has given us exceptional service.

What type of business do you think the machine is right for?
High-quality litho printers that want to migrate to digital and  higher-volume digital printers – but we don’t want too many people to adopt it.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
We already have another on order.

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CONCLUSION
User’s verdict
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value for money 5/5
Supplier’s response
Steve Hill, Kodak Solutions Manager, says: "Terry Hannam started his business with a NexPress press – he is a true fan of Kodak technology and Synergie has six NexPress machines spread over six sites, with another on order. The company is using the Dimensional Ink System in the fifth unit of its SE3000 to produce one-to-one direct mail products that are ahead of the game."
Price
£330,000, depending on configuration
Contact
Kodak UK
0870 8500 204
uk-gcg-salesinquiries@kodak.com