Mailing and Marketing Solutions (MaMs) has invested in a new Ricoh VC70000 high-speed inkjet system, the first to be installed in the UK.

The Pro VC70000, which prints at 150m/min, is designed to ‘accelerate the transfer of offset print volumes to digital’ and is expected to allow MaMs to maintain print quality during high-speed production of applications including direct mail and critical communications.

MaMs, which moved into a new site in Leeds last year, specialises in the paper-wrapping of subscription magazine mailings. One reason for its investment in the Ricoh press is to become more environmentally friendly by replacing poly-wrapping with fully recyclable and biodegradable paper. MaMs will also be able to personalise these wraps and enable its customers to promote off-the-page advertisements.

‘We recognised the potential of this technology within our business after seeing the machine at Ricoh’s European Customer Experience Centre in Telford,’ said director Anthony Krajniewski. ‘The ability to print on standard, non-specialist coated or uncoated papers makes a world of difference to a commercial printer today. Our client base required us to find a solution for short run, full colour campaigns and the VC70000 provides this option. It is also commercially more viable than traditional litho printing.’

‘Ricoh strongly supports MaMs’ new approach to providing quality and sustainable products to their customers,’ added Ricoh’s national sales director Simon Isaacs. ‘Drying has always been at the heart of the inkjet media, quality, colour and speed conundrum and Ricoh have achieved the right balance with the VC70000 engine. This drying technology has won awards for innovation and design, and Ricoh now hold 43 global patents for it.’