SubscribeSpeed Print Finishers in Mitcham, Surrey has doubled turnover since installing two GBC Voyager³ thermal laminating machines.
Michael and Peter Eels and Dean McConnon, equal partners at Speed, are delighted with the increase in productivity. “Thermal lamination has made a real difference to our business,” says Michael Eels.
“Initially we looked at other suppliers for this type of equipment and although GBC was not the cheapest, they are certainly the best. We have not looked back since deciding to embark with GBC. To have the ability to provide high-class thermally laminated products has made an enormous difference to our portfolio and opened up so many new business opportunities. At present we get through over one hundred rolls of film a month. Every roll is 3000 metres long - that’s a lot of film! We use both gloss and matte in different thicknesses and have a delivery twice a month so there is always plenty in stock.”
“We have been print finishers to the trade for the past eleven years and offer a full finishing service to the South East of England including spot UV, varnishing, fold, stitch and trim as well die cutting and manufacture. We also have a collection and distribution service. Today printers are looking for a complete finishing service providing quality products from one provider,” says Eels.
“We have built a reputation for fast turnarounds,” continues Eels, “and we are able to offer tight TAT’s as the Voyagers are so quick to load with a new job. Make-ready is down to five minutes and with more and more short run work this is a bonus. All our machines are geared up for quick make-readies and this advantage has certainly helped our reputation. We are now producing work for stores such as Selfridges, where for example we produce POS advertising for leading make-up companies such as Clarins and Lancome.”
“We also produce all the print for the Royal Marsden Hospital including Health & Safety posters as well as brochures, leaflets and fliers for well known TV channels. Customers want their printed product to look good, feel good and last. Thermal lamination enhances and highlights the colours on the printed sheet and there is increased demand from a variety of customers. We produce school prospectuses, golf yardage books, book jackets and indoor and outdoor posters all fully laminated from SRA4 up to B1. The finished product is perfect. The Voyager³ come with feed, laminator and separator – all integrated, synchronized and controlled from an ergonomic control panel. It is the best you can get.”
“We have been able to offer a far more sophisticated service because of the quality of the laminating films and the reliability of the Voyagers.” concludes Eels. “ We are so pleased with the way things are going that we are looking at changing our working day to shifts to meet the increased demand. With GBC we are certainly living up to our name – Speed Print Finishers!”