Sandy, Bedfordshire UK.  08 June 2007 – Watkiss Automation Limited announces a growth in sales during the 12 months to February 2007 of 20%.  The figure includes the company’s established products but excludes the new PowerSquare.  This reflects increasing sales of all products worldwide, buoyant sales after Ipex last year and developing business with OEM partners.

Watkiss designs and manufactures collating, booklet making and print finishing equipment for both the digital and offset print market.  “Although we have seen a steady growth in most product areas, it has been especially significant for the SpineMaster, which has increased 3-fold.  The market has embraced the concept of the SquareBack book and print buyers specify it as their preferred finish.” explains Sales Director Paul Attew.

The company is also announcing an order book in excess of £3.3million for its new PowerSquare book making machine which was previewed at Ipex last year.  In order to meet demand, Watkiss has recruited additional staff in production and administration roles increasing the total number of employees by approximately 10%.

The PowerSquare is a complete book making machine which includes stitching, folding, spine forming and trimming to produce SquareBack books up to 200 pages thick.  It operates online to digital printers, or as an offline unit.  “Demand for offline machines has been higher than expected.” says Paul Attew “For many customers it is a viable alternative to perfect binding – and it’s faster, cheaper to run, and of course more secure thanks to the stitched spine.”

Despite unfavourable exchange rates, Watkiss Automation is demonstrating the value of innovation in product design and efficient manufacturing methods in order to succeed in international markets.