OCA is doubling its digital capacity to meet demand for its trade services launch, with fresh kit moving to its new Melbourne site. The company has just installed a Fuji Xerox iGen 150 and Color 1000 Press into the former Geon site, duplicating the existing digital stable of its Print Bound subsidiary. It also has a Nuvera 144 EA. Naresh Gulati, CEO of OCA, says the investment is in response to interest from printers looking into his end-to-end trade services. He says, “We have chosen these two printers to meet the needs of future trade partners in the short run digital market.
Naresh Gulati (r) with Scott Allen (Fuji Xerox), Paree Brar (Print Bound), and the new iGen 150
“It will future-proof our production to meet anticipated trade work and allow for growth as printers embrace a collaborative model.” Gulati says the printers will be used for both trade and inhouse work, particularly for variable data printing, short run commercial and direct mail. He says, “We have tested these machines with our software and ordering systems to ensure seamless processing and no bottlenecks for our future trade partners.” He says he chose to double up on Fuji Xerox kit because the existing machines were working well and his company has a strong partnership with the manufacturer. OCA is also installing a top range Heidelberg CTP system to be paired with an XL 106 six colour offset press going into the factory later this year, along with two existing offset machines. The system includes automated Prinect prepress manager workflow, Suprasetter 106 with multi-cassette loader, Fujifilm ZAC Processor and Brillia LH-PLE thermal plates, which are designed for long run UV printing and do not require baking. Gulati says until now his company outsourced its CTP and the investment is an example of how printers can use trade services like his to build a market before they are ready to buy costly equipment. He says as Print Bound has grown from having only one offset press, a Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 12-colour press, to three with a Heidelberg CD 74 five colour and the incoming XL 106, insourcing prepress is now justified. He says, “When I bought Print Bound in March it only had one machine, and now it is about to have three.”
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