Romax has completed a £350,000 investment programme with a Perfecta 76 TS E heavy-duty high-speed programmable guillotine and a Horizon AFC-566FG B2 fully automated cross-folding system supplied by IFS.
The £4m turnover marketing communications company which encompasses both online and offline marketing channels recently added a Xerox iGen 150 press to run alongside six other Xerox presses, including a Xerox DocuColor 8002.
Allied to hardware Romax recently rolled out its new SMS and email platform enabling its clients to effectively produce multi-channel marketing communications.
The investment programme is designed to enhance the service Romax provides for a broad customer base that includes the National Theatre, Southbank Centre, telecom providers and exhibition specialists such as Reed Exhibitions
Managing Director Robin Sumner, who established the operation in 1997, explains: “The iGen 150 enables us to have a larger printed sheet size of 660mm so we needed a guillotine that could easily handle that. Previously we would have sent the larger sheet size jobs out to a litho printer but now we can keep that inhouse. The Perfecta also has an enlarged side tables and air bed that makes handling sheets easier – so staff are happier and less tired.”
He adds: “Since we installed the iGen 150 the throughput in paper has gone up. A system that helps our operators handle more sheets easily was essential. The larger sheet size has also opened up new revenue streams for us but we had to be able to confidently complete the work.”
As for choosing the Perfecta he explains: “We went to all the major manufacturers but the Perfecta came out on top for build quality, value for money and production flexibility. We also have such a good relationship with IFS which was a key factor in our decision.”
The Perfecta 76 TS E guillotine has a slotless cutting table that facilitates gentle stock handling and prevents paper dust or debris building up in any mechanical area as the backgauge is driven from above the table. Its cladded surface of corrosion-free stainless steel protects the machine from wear and rust. Its Perfecta ServoDrive offers smooth guidance of the backgauge.
Romax also recently invested in a longer sheet package (XL Kit) for its Foliant Gemini C400 A B3+ laminator, also supplied by IFS, which enables lamination of sheets up to 660mm in length from the iGen 150. The Foliant and Perfecta machines can now laminate and cut six-page work that previously would have been outsourced.
Wesley Dowding, Operations & Technology Director, adds: “The Perfecta will make us 30% more efficient. Its accessibility will enable us to increase quality. It will also make us more responsive.”
The operation’s Horizon AFC-566FG super-B2 fully automated cross-folding system replaced a 15 year old folder. It features two fast-fit tri-creasers that support its ability to score, slit and perforate. There are also two delivery conveyors for further reduced job set up times when changing from parallel folding to cross-folding and vice-versa.
The 240mpm folder allows for a wide variety of fold patterns to be produced with ease from 17 standard fold pattern templates. Operation is via a user-friendly, icon-based 10.4” colour touch screen panel that provides access to up to 200 job settings that can quickly and easily be recalled.
“We liked the impressive fold combinations,” comments Mr Sumner: “We can do step folds now, run much faster and get a higher quality finish. It is fully automated which is perfect for us because we have a lot of diverse clients and a lot of diverse materials. With easier set up and greater automation we have cut production downtime by 25% to 30%. We can also create proof samples for customers without wasting sheets in making small set up changes.
“The result is we can offer a more value added service. It is a way to increase the conversations we are having with customers. We are no longer just selling to customers we are showing them what else can be achieved and that demonstrates we are always considering ways we can help them further improve what they are doing.”
Together the systems are helping Romax eliminate costs in terms or outsourcing but also reducing overall job completion times because there is no need to wait for work to be returned. “It means we can handle more work in a smaller timeframe,” states Mr Sumner.
He concludes: “For all our equipment we have a three year write down but we expect these systems to run for ten years and more. And because they have a similar set up and are so easy to use staff can move from one to another which enables productivity to be maintained even when people are on holiday or off sick. There is a hidden benefit too – the fact we are investing in more kit lifts the morale of the staff because they are part of company that is looking towards the future. More automated systems also make working easier and ensure they create high quality jobs, faster.”
