Family-owned printer's investment will lead to new jobs

The contract will result in improved customer service and is part of a planned 'insourcing' investment process that will see new jobs created at the family firm.

The investment is just a part of the £1.5 million KJB has devoted to improving the technology at its disposal in the last two years.

With more equipment coming in the next few weeks, KJB, of Beechwood Business Park, plans to continually increase the speed and quality of the service and product range it provides to its customers.

"We've undergone a major business transformation, following heavy investment in digital printing," explained commercial director Stephen Egerton.

"We now have 2,000 customers across the UK and print for all business sectors from large blue chips, supermarkets, the media and training sector and major energy providers to small businesses. We can now produce a range of tailored and bespoke products 'in house' that were traditionally classed as 'specialised'"

Part of the investment is the Duplo DC645i, which handles creasing, cutting and slitting in the same pass. It means KJB will be to offer a host of improved printing services for everything from menus, flyers and inserts to cards and brochures.

With a speed of 26 sheets per minute and ability to handle a range of paper stock and paper weights, the new machine means businesses in the Midlands now have access to much improved print quality with even faster turnaround times.

KJB is also installing an AutoBond Laminator, one of the largest laminators available in the West Midlands, able to laminate at around 45m of paper per minute.

To help fulfil large volume bound orders quickly, KJB has invested in a new Renz Wiro Binder, capable of binding up to 300 books per hour or up to 400 calendars. The company is also taking delivery of a PUR binder, manufactured by Duplo. This piece of technology utilises a glue binding technique, called PUR binding, which uses a 'super glue' to create books with a similar appearance to a paperback book.

This technology is significantly stronger than traditionally bound books, giving the product an enhanced life expectancy and superior quality and is ideal for producing annual accounts for shareholders.

Replaced

Milling the book blocks on the spine allows the pages to absorb adhesive more effectively. A more malleable and cost effective method compared to other binding practices. The combination of the two binding machines allows KJB to produce the appropriate, cost effective, solution possible for its customers.

"We have also replaced some of our other finishing equipment that were becoming obsolete. These range from a collator, which has served the company well for a decade, to the addition of a new stitcher, shrink wrap tunnel and touch screen guillotine which is four times faster than the old one. All of the equipment will enhance our lithographical services and grow our digitally printed product range.

"Then early in 2014, we then plan to further upgrade our digital press department, with the addition of a new Xerox machine," said Mr Egerton