Since it was installed this past April by GSNA (Graphic Systems North America), a new RMGT (RYOBI MHI Graphic Technology) 9 Series five-colour sheetfed LED-UV Press at Northern California online printer Copyworld has been saving the firm anywhere between $12,000 and $15,000 per month while opening up new revenue streams. Running 24″ x 36″ sheets, “it’s bigger than a half-size press,” said Plant Manager Khaqan Ashraf, whose father started the company in 1987. “We can run eight-up on a sheet, and the press is powderless. Prints come off dry immediately. There’s no tackiness at all. Asraf added that the new press is paying for itself and is also attracting new types of customers.
“It’s such a large machine,” said Ashraf, “but it’s able to produce work just as quickly as our direct-imaging presses.” That being said, the company admits that it was reluctant to purchase such a large press. “We have minimal space in our 10,000-square-foot plant, and working with the city of Berkley, California to upgrade power is challenging. With the 40″ press we looked at, there was a power issue with the aqueous unit that pretty much ruled out that model.” A friend subsequently introduced Ashraf to Kian Hemmen of Print & Finishing Solutions (Western U.S. Distributor for RMGT), who ran some numbers. “First of all, we needed no power upgrade. Then Kian showed us how the 925 would fit (it measures six feet or so narrower than a 40″ machine, and about 15′ or 20′ shorter).” The bottom line is that Copyworld got a new press for the price that a four-year-old or five-year-old press from an alternate manufacturer would have cost.
Because of the new press, the 22 employees at the $4 million operation are adding new types of customers beyond the typical short runs of between 1,000 and 15,000 data sheets, door hangers, flyers, postcards and business cards. “We’re getting into the wholesale (trade printing) business as a reseller,” Ashraf explained. With a full-service bindery that includes booklet makers, two 45″ cutters, folders and a die cutter, Copyworld can now compete for book printing that was not cost-effective to produce on its direct-imaging presses. Already, he reports completing projects such as 6,000 copies of a 40-page book that was turned around within three days; 3,000 copies of a 60-page, 5.5″ x 8.5″ book; and a 20,000 run of a 16-page book. “The new press from RMGT allows us to be competitive, sell at wholesale, and still make money.” The LED-UV capabilities of the press are opening new doors in another way. For example, one prospect needed a 36-hour turnaround for an automotive client. “We had sticking issues before,” Ashraf recalled, “but now they may become my biggest customer.” Copyworld will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2017. “Buying this press was the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s paying for itself,” said Ashraf. “RMGT has a customer for life.” For the first half of 2016, sales are up approximately 12%. “We’re going to modify our building in three or four years and will probably buy another RMGT press,” he added.
About GSNA and RMGT
Graphic Systems North America (GSNA) delivers exclusive access to the RMGT 9 Series, 7 Series, 5 Series, and 3 Series line of offset presses for commercial, packaging and in-plant printers in the Canada and the U.S. Formed in July 2013 with co-headquarters in four U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, the GSNA group has more than $60 million in revenue and constitutes the single largest offset press sales and service team in North America. GSNA serves Canada and all 50 U.S. states and also oversees a network of 20 printing equipment dealer partners. GSNA’s USA companies are Print & Finishing Solutions, G.E. Richards, Paper Handling Solutions, Graphco, and in Canada KBR Graphics Canada and Canadian Printing Equipment.
RMGT (RYOBI MHI Graphic Technology) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of sheetfed offset printing presses and the world leader in LED-UV technology with over 165 installations worldwide.
RMGT 9 Series offset press saving printer $180,000 this year while attracting new customers
