Stephen Austin, a Hertford-based print and distribution firm, has added two new Canon presses. The Canon ColorStream 8160 and VarioPrint iX3200 will support its next phase of digital transformation.
Founded in 1768, the company provides printing, packaging, and distribution services for examination organisations and ministries of education worldwide, handling more than 100 million assessments for over 160 countries annually. It has worked with Canon for more than 15 years and says the latest investment will improve productivity, flexibility and quality while replacing legacy equipment.
The move follows steady growth for Stephen Austin, which recently acquired commercial printer Hertford Offset. The company says its focus is on maintaining high standards across secure and commercial operations, and Canon’s technology was chosen to underpin that strategy.
Canon’s VarioPrint iX3200 is described as consolidating the role of four machines into one, with sheetfed inkjet production speeds of 9120 SRA3 duplex images per hour, uptime of over 90% and minimal operator involvement. According to Stephen Austin, the new device has increased efficiency, extended product range and supported rising customer demand in the examinations and commercial markets.
The ColorStream 8160, designed for automation, offers speeds of up to 200 metres per minute at resolutions up to 1200 x 1200dpi. Stephen Austin says the combination of high output, reduced labour requirements and lower running costs made it an obvious choice for the business.
Sustainability was also a factor in the investment. Both machines are designed for low power consumption and minimal waste, while the water-based polymer pigment inks of the iX3200 are engineered for de-inkability to produce easier-to-recycle output.
Kevin Strachan, operations director at Stephen Austin & Hertford Offset, said: “At the core of our business is delivering products and services that not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations. Our most recent investments in Canon’s cutting-edge printing technology will empower our automation-led workflow and enable us to continue to provide the high-quality products and services our clients expect.”
