Located in Osborne Park, 15 minutes from the Perth CBD, the WA Snap Printing Hub produces a vast array of jobs for the state’s 21 Snap franchises. As such the Hub is a hive of activity with more than 1700 jobs passing through each month. Michael Banton, CEO, says, “In an environment where turnaround time is critical, and quality essential, the need to work with the latest technology cannot be overstated.
“Productivity and quality are the key focuses for the Hub. The majority of colour jobs we produce are required quickly, some with 1-2 day turnaround times. Being able to respond fast is a valuable point of difference for our franchises, so it is essential we have equipment that can meet this promise. And because we print a volume of work for corporate customers we also have a quality expectation from our franchise owners.”
He continues. “We produce both offset and digital print and the Anicolor fits into our workflow brilliantly. The press has already impacted productivity. We have realised a 35 percent productivity gain already, and that’s being conservative. This machine is so fast. Make ready is completed in five sheets compared to 100 on our previous press. The time savings alone are impressive, but when you factor what we are saving on stock costs, waste and energy it doesn’t take long to see the benefits of this technology are both fiscal and ecological”.
The Snap franchise owners are equally impressed and are actively promoting the new press to their customers. “It is an important marketing distinction for our franchises to demonstrate they are working with cutting edge technology, and at the same time show their green credentials”.
Lindsay Barnes, general manager product management, Heidelberg Australia & New Zealand says the installations of the Anicolor press in the ANZ region have been successful. He says, “Customers are telling us that the Anicolor press has quickly become their most productive and profitable press reflecting the experience of the Snap Printing Hub in WA”.
He says most customers have achieved 50 per cent productivity increases, 20 per cent higher than Heidelberg’s official statistics on this press. “Combining the productivity savings with a 90 per cent reduction in waste and 50 per cent reduction in make ready and it is easy to see how the Anicolor technology has closed the gap between digital and offset printing, allowing print companies to deliver high quality offset products at more competitive price points”.
Banton says the speed and quality achievable with the Anicolor press will enable the franchises to accelerate growth. “We are pulling work off our other machines to fill the two shifts on the Anicolor press, it is that fast. This means we have ample room for growth without having to increase overheads. That makes us more competitive and in today’s market being able to compete without compromising quality gives us a real edge”. In conclusion he says, “There is no other press like the Anicolor, it has definitely exceeded expectations and we are pleased with our decision”.
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