Aldermaston printer Lola Print Services is embarking on an expansion drive nine months after Brad Bray and John Pike bought the small print business from previous owners Anna Croucher and Tony da Franca.
The business has installed a Duplo DC618 multifinisher, automating creaser folding and trimming of greetings cards which have made a substantial part of the output.
Production manager Steve Enright says: “While the DC618 hasn’t replaced any existing equipment, it has revolutionised our workflow, it’s pretty much made the guillotine and hand creaser redundant and enabled true multitasking. You don’t have to stand and watch the machine. If there is a problem, the machine stops. Usually, the bin is full as it has been so busy.”
This has freed up capacity to help drive expansion into other areas, called for in the business plan. This includes marketing collateral and general commercial print for local businesses alongside print for local artists that have come to trust the business.
The business prints with Ricoh digital equipment supported by an HP rolled fed large format press
Bray comments: “Since installation the DC618 has not only boosted productivity but also freed up staff to focus on other important tasks. This upgrade positions Lola Print to handle growing demand, explore new markets and continue delivering exceptional results for our customers.”
The growth is already underway. When Bray and Pike bought the business they were the only members of staff. Now the on-premise headcount has doubled and will increase again.
The company was founded in 1986 and has grown a customer base covering local businesses and artists for whom it prints fine art posters as well as greetings cards. That market continues while expansion heads towards new opportunities in commercial print.
Pike says: “Outstanding customer service and exceeding expectations is at the forefront of our business ethos.”
