Flexpress is planning to install the UK’s first RMGT 970 sheetfed press next summer.
Like the RMGT 920 that the Leicester printer installed six years ago, the new machine will be fitted with LED UV curing. It is being supplied by M Partners. Managing director Steve Wenlock has announced: “Offering a slightly larger print area and an unprecedented level of automation, clients can expect even better quality and improved efficiency.” The first RMGT will be replaced when the new press is installed.
The slight increase in print area on this press will suit Flexpress’ focus on trade book printing, which has increased as a result of the pandemic. “During the pandemic we looked long and hard at everything we did resulting in a quite interesting analysis. Before the lockdowns, saddle stitched booklets had been the fastest growing product, but that almost fell off a cliff. But what stood up for us was perfect bound books.
“We looked at the market and saw that books were growing and were expected to continue to grow, having been through the challenge of the ebook revolution and demand for books is still growing.
“We realised that the book market is huge and that the bigger book printers find it awkward to cope with small jobs.”
RMGT had planned to launch the 970 at Drupa in 2020. It incorporates a combination of features from the flagship B1 RMGT 10 and the latest version of the 920. It will handle a 650x950mm sheet with a maximum print area of 640x930mm. Automated register and colour controls are included, printing to 15,000sph.
Flexpress has this year installed a BQ500 perfect binder, also the first in the UK at the time, and has upgraded its case making set up, as well as increasing capacity for wire binding. “It’s all about book printing,” says Wenlock. “We are focused on being the book printer for our trade customers.”
