Print-Leeds pays £3m for new press in its search for perfection on the run

This comes after the printing business acquired S&C Labels in Huddersfield earlier this year. The labels operation will be moved to Print-Leeds’ base in Leeds, where a building programme is increasing capacity from 10,000 sq ft to 19,000 sq ft.

The new B1 Heidelberg press and computer to plate system, which arrives at the end of November, will increase capacity. The new press will be mainly used for the labels work but will also handle some of the Print-Leeds’ plastics printing.

Managing director of Print-Leeds, Rod Fisher, said the company looked widely at its options but came down in favour of Heidelberg. This is the third Heidelberg press the company will have owned and it replaces an existing 11-year-old press.

“In the printing industry you can’t stand still, the technology is evolving all the time and we’re looking for perfection on the run,” said Mr Fisher. “On older presses you can see fluctuations in quality and I have certainly seen variations across labels on supermarket shelves.

“We want perfect and predictable results. Customers will undoubtedly benefit from superior quality as a result of this investment.

“Aside from the persuasive quality improvements, the new machine will also provide other cost reductions – it will double our production capacity, significantly reduce our power bills and cut make-ready times. All these make us a leaner, greener and more efficient company.”

Print-Leeds, which is 11 years old, currently has a turnover of about £5m and employs 40 staff. It has made two acquisitions in the last three years.