One of the largest Minuteman print franchises in the UK has changed hands. And new owner of Minuteman Bath, Nishit Chotai says he will continue the direction set by David Ghent who in 1998 was founder of the business.
Chotai is installing a mezzanine floor at the premises the business first moved to three years ago in search of additional space as part of a move to double capacity for large format printing and sign making. He explains: “Our expansion is designed to meet growing demand, improve turnaround times, and reinforce Minuteman Press’s ongoing commitment to delivering fast, high quality service. In addition to investing in the building, I am continuing to invest in new equipment to ensure that we can deliver a wide range of high quality services.”
Ghent will remain active in the business for at least a year in order to ensure a smooth transition for customers. Chotai is new to print, his previous experience being in the finance and investment sector.
The commercial print side is well invested headed by a Xerox Iridesse six-colour press feeding into a suite of finishing technology, including foiling and lamination. It was the first business in the UK to install a Duplo multifinisher with integrated folder. This has been followed by laser cutting and engraving, paving the way to produce a new set of products that are not normally associated with print.
Chotai says: “Our customers are often surprised by the range of solutions that we can provide beyond traditional printing. Recently we invested in a new Trotec laser cutter and engraver, opening up exciting new possibilities. It has enabled us to do jobs that we could not have done before such as engraving wooden signs or boards, cork, leather, glass, acrylic, plastic and other materials.”
It is not the first diversification. There is a thriving business in large format printing using HP and Canon printers to produce window and vehicle graphics along with more traditional products including exhibition graphics, display units and a mailing service that includes envelope printing.
