MPD have installed a five colour Komori Lithrone LS529 and Coater to enable them to add competitively priced longer run litho work to the complete print portfolio they currently offer. In the past, average print run lengths varied from one sheet to five thousand sheets, but the makeready and running speeds of the new Komori means MPD is now a serious contender in the longer run market too.

Graham Seeley comments: “Throughout MPD’s history we have always been known for being technologically progressive and embracing the latest technology; we were one of the first printers in the UK to buy an Indigo digital press 10 years ago and we have also been running CTP for years. It was getting to the stage where we were only competitive on shorter run jobs – our five colour Heidelberg was costing us too much in time on longer runs. We are totally dedicated to providing our customers with excellent quality and service and this meant the need for a more efficient press.”

The 29-inch Lithrone LS529 and Coater includes groundbreaking features CIP 3 and Spectrometer and is fulfilling all Graham’s expectations for moving MPD forward. The company has already run 15 four colour jobs through the press in one day with time to spare, and capacity has been increased by up to three times.

Graham continues: “We had always been a Heidelberg house but when we saw the demonstrations on the LS529 at Ipex and Workshop 06 we were convinced that the Komori technology is considerably more advanced and includes so many more features for the cost; the difference in price for the equivalent Heidlberg is massive and would have meant paying for features we didn’t need. We are benefiting from the features and automation on this press and the quality is fantastic. I am really happy with the way Komori has responded to any issues, the service has been excellent. Our only problem now is we can make ready and print a 500 run job faster than we can output a set of plates!”