FDM Document Solutions has invested £1.5m in new Canon production technology and workflow reconfiguration. It is part of a multi-year strategy to improve operational efficiency and meet rising client demand across public and private sector markets.
The investment includes the installation of a Canon ColorStream 8610 inkjet press and a Canon varioPRINT i300 with MX inks. The ColorStream system is intended to increase throughput for high-volume, time-critical print work, while the varioPRINT i300 is designed to deliver consistent colour accuracy and quality, particularly on coated and marketing-grade stocks. Together, the systems are expected to improve uptime, reliability and consistency across long print runs.
Alongside the hardware upgrades, FDM has completed a major re-engineering of its factory workflows. The changes are intended to maximise efficiency across the production environment and support the delivery of complex, colour-rich and high-volume communications. The company says the reconfigured site layout and streamlined processes will also help prepare the business for future growth.
The investment follows the securing and renewal of several contracts, including work for South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cherwell District Council, as well as a place on the NEPO504 Election and Electoral Registration Print Framework. According to FDM, the expanded capabilities will support more complex data-driven mailings, multi-component print work and hybrid digital and physical campaigns.
FDM CEO Richard Farmer said: “This investment marks an important step in FDM’s growth. As we continue to win major public-sector contracts, it is essential that we scale our capacity and capability in line with our clients’ expectations.”
He added: “The new Canon platform strengthens our position as a trusted partner for high-volume, time-critical communications, while also supporting our sustainability commitments and future innovation.”
Chief commercial officer Iain Bloomfield highlighted the impact of the wider workflow changes, commenting: “We haven’t just installed new machinery, we’ve completely re-engineered how workflows through our production sites.”
Stuart Rising, head of graphic arts at Canon UK and Ireland, said Canon was pleased to support FDM’s transformation, noting that the ColorStream and varioPRINT platforms are designed for organisations requiring high speed, quality and operational sustainability.
“These platforms are designed for organisations that need high speed, outstanding quality, and operational sustainability. FDM’s decision to combine this technology with a full production workflow,” he said.
FDM said the investment marks the start of a broader modernisation programme, with the ambition of strengthening its position as a trusted supplier to councils across the UK for revenues, benefits and election-related output.
