Total of 70 printing units now installed in 50 x 70 format

Bishops Printers is based in Portsmouth in the U.K. Demand for the company's print products rose last year, leading to growth of nine percent. To handle this growth and the ever-shorter runs, the print shop requires extremely reliable and operator-friendly presses combined with short makeready times. "Investment is key to growth," says managing director Gareth Roberts. And his company has invested a total of almost £1.5 million (EUR 1.8 million). The investment package includes a recently installed Speedmaster XL 75 ten-color perfecting press, a new Stahlfolder TH 82 automated buckle machine with VSA-82 vertical stacker, and a Stahlfolder Ti 52 that sister company The Mailing People took delivery of six months ago. Bishops Printers now has a total of 70 printing units in the 50 x 70 centimeter (19.69 x 27.56 inch) format - all in five-, eight- or ten-color presses supplied by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). Its 25-year relationship with Heidelberg has been strong and fruitful for the company, which has grown from a one-man operation to a 221-strong enterprise with sales of £20 million (EUR 23.5 million), compared with just £4 million (EUR 4.7 million) three years ago.

Bishops has been able to further boost its print business by offering a combined print and direct mail service with The Mailing People. A member of the U.K. Direct Marketing Association, this group company advises on all aspects of direct mail campaigns, from consultancy and data collection to the most efficient method of postage. Its other services include polywrapping, order fulfillment, lettershop, data management, database processing, U.K. and international postage operations, and downstream access.