“New v. Used” Decision for Inkon Printers
5 Mar 2006
Inkon Printers Limited, Hyde, Cheshire, was keen to explore the potential of both new and used presses when the time came to expand its Komori-based print room.
Press Release
May 2005
“New v. Used” Decision for Inkon Printers
Inkon Printers Limited, Hyde, Cheshire, was keen to explore the potential of both new and used presses when the time came to expand its Komori-based print room.
Having held detailed discussions with Komori regarding a new press, Inkon managing director Jeff Wolstenholme then visited the leading used-machinery specialist DPM, Westerham, Kent, to view a 1999 Lithrone L528EM. He decided that his business would benefit more from the used five-colour machine from DPM than the new press that he was close to signing for from Komori.
“We needed to replace our existing two-colour Lithrone with a five-colour, and whilst the budget would have stretched to a new machine, the 1999 model offered by DPM gave us a much more advanced press,” said Jeff Wolstenholme. “Features such as auto-plate, cylinder cocking, and the Komori computerised management system were not available on the new basic Lithrone model that we were talking to Komori about. These “extras” – especially the computerised management system – mean that we can still add new features to the machine, such as CIP3 capability for example.”
The time factor was also a consideration for the 29-year-old print business. “Having decided that we needed to expand our print room capabilities we were keen to do so in as faster time as possible,” said Jeff Wolstenholme. “Ordering a new machine would have meant a wait of five or six months. Once we had decided to purchase from DPM it was just a question of deciding when we wanted them to come and install the press.”
DPM took out Inkon’s existing two-colour machine as a trade-in against the five colour, and installed the five-colour press in just a few weeks. DPM also provided a warranty on the machine.
Inkon Printers now runs the five-colour machine next to a similar four-colour Komori press on a double-day shift system. The company, which employs 24 staff, considers itself a jobbing printer, providing a wide range of print products to both local and national accounts. The company’s small-offset division handles stationery requirements whilst the Komori presses produce leaflets, brochures and other full-colour commercial print. The company is able to handle the full process from graphic design through to print finishing and distribution.
“The addition of the five-colour means that we can now produce four-colour plus a coating – something that is required more and more from customers,” added Jeff Wolstenholme. “It also means that we can run four-colours plus a special.”
“Having installed the press we were keen to get it into production immediately. We had to ask DPM’s engineers to come back after a few weeks to finish the installation of some of the advanced features once we had cleared our urgent requirements. We were delighted that they were flexible enough to do just that.
“I would certainly be happy to purchase our next press from DPM,” concluded Jeff. “I would also be confident of recommending them to other printers who are looking to add extra printing capacity at a sensible price,” he added.
Komori presses form the backbone of DPM’s recently created Japanese Press operation, headed up by Wayne Beckett.
“The used machinery market is has always been very focused on German made presses,” said Mark Sheldrick, managing director at DPM. “Whilst these are obviously very important to us, we also see tremendous potential in the market for a company that can supply and support Japanese made machinery. Komori, especially, has become a leading supplier in a many countries, and particularly here in the UK, and so presents tremendous opportunities in the used sector.
“We have made the necessary investment to ensure that we can promote the Japanese side of the business successfully,” added Sheldrick. “We have recruited electrical and mechanical engineers experienced in the presses, with Komori knowledge being of particular importance. This investment puts us way ahead of other UK dealers, and means that we can offer engineers capable of working on all of the main manufacturers’ presses.”