The Imaging Centre has become the first UK company to install Duplo’s DSM-1000 B2 die cutter. The investment has significantly increased its production speed and flexibility for greetings card finishing, said the company.
The Kent-based greeting card specialist, which already uses Duplo’s DC-20K B2 system, made the investment to remove a bottleneck that was hindering growth. “One day’s print output from our B2 press was taking us five days to finish – it was becoming unsustainable,” said managing director of The Imaging Centre, Adam Short.
Developed for short-run, high-value applications, the DSM-1000 automates die-cutting with fast changeovers, waste separation, and a PC-controlled interface. It was chosen following close consultation with Duplo.
“The speed of the DSM was really impressive,” said Mr Short. “Jobs that took four or five hours now take just 30 or 40 minutes.” Imaging Centre operations director, Jessica Penfold, added: “Before the DSM, we had to run night shifts just to keep up. Now, we’ve matched the capacity of the B2 press and can stay ahead of demand.”
As well as supporting organic growth – the company has grown 10–16% annually – the system allows The Imaging Centre to retain customers longer and attract larger clients. “In the past, greeting card publishers would start digital and move to litho. Now, many are staying with us longer,” said Ms Penfold. “This gives us flexibility to move people where they’re needed.”
The Imaging Centre currently produces 20 million cards annually and aims to increase its market share from 2% to 10%. “We want to be in control of our growth, not dictated by it,” said Mr Short. “The DSM-1000 gives us that control.”
