Ken Mardon (front) and Mark McIntyre
For better customer service, new equipment is an additional tool to support expansion in market sectors and incremental production improvement.
CMYUK Shrewsbury: VMGS, Visual Marketing and Graphic Services, has installed a Mimaki UJV55-2320 UV LED printer and Kongsberg X24-Edge digital cutting table. CMYUK also owns a Graphtec FC9000-160 cutting plotter.
The equipment will be joined by an existing Mimaki JFX200-2513EX flatbed as well as a Mimaki UCJV150-163 UV LED printer, both also purchased through CMYUK.
The Mimaki equipment investment allowed the company to bring all of its production services in-house. This enabled them to achieve greater quality control, faster turnaround times, and significant cost savings.
As the company moves to the next phase of its development, this new equipment will further support the business. “We want to reduce our production times in order to turn jobs around more quickly. We’ll want to widen our customer base and further enhance our growth, which is the messaging we want to put out there,” says VMGS’ Ken Mardon.
Steady upward growth
VMGS provides vehicle graphics solutions, signage and retail. The new equipment will allow VMGS to better serve its clients and make inroads into new markets such as exhibitions.
The Mimaki UJV55-332 UV LED printer is a dynamic door-opener that allows the company to move into soft signage, interiors, or other textile applications. The printer is capable of printing large banners at full width and smaller dual rolls simultaneously.
“Not many businesses have a super-wide printer, and this puts us in a strong position particularly around our local area of Market Harborough and Leicester. Here, companies outsource their 3.2m work with 10- to 14-day lead times. We can guarantee a much faster turnaround and we’re on the doorstep. So, marketing wise, we’re starting local and then emanating outwards as far as possible,” says Ken.
Mimaki quality
Since the beginning of VMGS, Mimaki technology was a prominent part. When it came to boosting its printing output, Ken and business partner – Mark McIntyre – were united in their decision to remain with the Mimaki brand. This was in part due to the business’ trust in Mimaki technology for its quality, speed and reliability.
Mimaki UJV55320 is a dedicated roll to-roll printer that can produce banners, window graphics, retail and exhibition graphics, as well as twin-roll simultaneous printing. It can print at a resolution up to 1200dpi. Standard features include an automatic nozzle check system and a take-up unit. It also uses the same inks as the company’s Mimaki flatbed ensuring total ease of colour consistency across all production devices.
“I don’t want lots of different machines running from different RIPs. Production should run smoothly. If, for example, our production manager is unwell, I like it that anyone can cover because they know the Mimaki printers inside out,” says Mark.
Kongsberg cutting
The experience of purchasing a Kongsberg was a new one, as VMGS used to cut the Kongsbergs in-house.
“Mark and I have been in the industry for a long time, so we know about digital cutting tables, but deciding what we were going to buy and from whom, took us 9 months. We considered several manufacturers but Sue Hayward is our preferred choice. [CMYUK’s sales director, equipment]. She has always looked after us really well, even if it’s just been to ask her a question. Eventually we made the decision to go with the Kongsberg, we know it’s got a good reputation, and we also get the support from Sue and CMYUK,” says Ken.
The business purchased a Kongsberg X24 Edge, which includes a 1kW grinding spindle, camera, standard kiss cut and drag knives. The digital cutting table can be easily upgraded to allow customers to achieve even higher speeds and acceleration. Modularity allows for tools to be added to the table as needed. VMGS is adding a Creaser so that it can offer packaging solutions.
The first job VMGS ran through was a 100m banner run. Instantly, the time savings were evident. “The finishers, the guys that in the old days would be cutting the straight edge with a knife, they’ve now got the time to set up other jobs. It’s early days yet, so we can’t say how much more productive we will be, but with this first job, our throughput increased by 30% and I’m being conservative,” says Ken.
Graphtec support to increase productivity
A standalone Graphtec FC9000-160 cutting machine was also purchased by the company to improve productivity of its Mimaki UCJV150-162 UV LED printer. The integrated cutter was a great option for the business’ early years, but it became more important to have a separate cutter plotter due to increased production volumes.
“Four and a half years ago, we had a limited budget and the combined Mimaki print and cut functionality was great for our business – giving us the capabilities we required. Now we’ve grown and offer more services, we really need to drive our productivity,” says Ken.
The Graphtec FC 9000 series cutter plotters are ideal for general sign making, labelling, car paint protection film and sandblast stencil materials. An optional take-up unit lets vinyls be cut and then wound back onto rolls, protecting them against damage. The series includes media catch nets, networking capability, and a matching stand.
Growth and onward Vision
When the first round of investment was made VMGS recorded an annual turnover of £600, 000. Four and a half years later, this has grown to over £1.5m. With aplomb, the directors managed to survive the Pandemic by producing and supplying a wide variety of COVID safety products, including sneeze screen for a national retailer and colleges.
In-house graphic facilities allow the business to offer a 360O service that includes design, printing, installation, and project management. It’s forward vision is to continue growth and longevity and keep it in the hands of future generations of family members as well as close working colleagues.
“We want the largest global retail companies and design agencies to come to us,” says Ken, adding, “Versatility is the key, it’s all about making the right equipment investments that fulfil your customers’ needs. It’s also about a commitment to impeccable customer service, going above and beyond expectations, which is exactly what VMGS does.”