Duplo is preparing to introduce the Skandacor range of enhanced finishing equipment to a UK and European audience. The US company acquired Bagel Systems last year. It had supplied Duplo with laminators and digital foiling systems and this continues, but with the addition of further machines from the Skandacor stable including an entry level digital spot varnishing machine.
Duplo is preparing for the expansion by expanding the showroom at its Automated Precision House head office in Addlestone to cover the whole of the ground floor. This work will take place next month and should be finished in September when the company can populate the space with a full range of equipment it sells. This will enable it to show multiple examples of multi finishers and booklet makers as well as the large format PFi Blade Pro digital cutting table.
There will also be space to show label finishing equipment from BGM, acting as a southern showroom and one for accessible for dealers from Europe than its Bradford factory. Bar Graphic Machinery became part of Duplo a year ago and has this year introduced the Compact as a standalone finishing machine for digital label production.
The plan is to have the showroom finished in time for a three-day open house for customers and distributors at the start of October.
The company is taking on eight devices from the Skandacor portfolio. This includes the DigiFav B2 and B3 laminators and B2 Pro, the Foiler B3 auto and Foiler 3D auto which can include tactile effects. Both work in combination with the laminators.
There are two entry level laminators: Lampro Cheetah S15 and Lampro Cheetah S15 Photo, which is as indicated designed for photographic applications.
Most interest, however, will be focused on Skandacor’s cut sheet embellishment machines the FinishPro 3D 1623 and newly launched FinishPro 3D 2346 for a full B2 sheet. The former has a list price of $70,000 in North America. A UK and European price has not been set though will include the training and service levels that are expected on this side of the Atlantic.
These are flatbed tables with inkjet heads firing a UV cured polymer resin for spot varnish and textured effects. It can also apply foils. However, it is not a fast machine: on straightforward work, Skandacor quotes 30 seconds a sheet.
This positions it well below the Duplo’s Dusense machines in terms of productivity and price, but might enable a company to develop a new market opportunity.
Duplo UK managing director Martyn Train says: “The expanded portfolio allows us to offer our customers even greater choice, whether they’re taking their first steps into premium print finishing or investing in high performance production solutions. More importantly, it reinforces our commitment to supporting customers with innovative technologies that help them differentiate their businesses and unlock new revenue opportunities.”
