ST ALBANS, UK - Following the installation of a Zünd digital cutting table at its Nottingham facility in 2014, John E Wright has invested in an additional system for its Hull operation.

The Zünd G3 L-2500 was purchased with the help of the Local Growth Fund delivered by North East Lincolnshire Council. Its installation will significantly speed up and increase finishing operations for the exhibition, sign and display company – so much so that John E Wright plans to expand its current workforce of 13 employees with immediate effect.

Commenting on last year's installation of a similar Zünd G3 with Prepare-it automated workflow software at John E Wright's central facility in Nottingham, Alan Edwards, Technical Director, says: "Thanks to a significant reduction in the time needed to prepare files for ripping and cutting we have seen a massive increase in productivity and a much lower waste percentage." Hull's Zünd G3 features the same software and is expected to deliver equally impressive results.

Formerly, vinyl cutting was done on a Mimaki CG-130 FXII cutter but all other cutting and trimming was completed by hand – a time-consuming process for a busy print room – or substrate manufacturers would cut the materials to size. Now, the production team can bring more cutting work in-house and use more profitable materials for banners, POS, posters and roll-up graphics. Thanks to the machine's 1Kw router, it can also handle thicker substrates popular for signage, such as Dibond, MDF, Forex and acrylic up to 30mm thick.

Additionally, Zünd UK supplied the new Zünd G3 with PackZ software, enabling John E Wright to expand its Hull services with packaging mock-ups and other new products. The cutting table is running alongside an Océ flatbed printer and several HP Latex printers.

Soon after the installation, Andy Magson, Manager of John E Wright's Hull factory, commented: "Having installed the Zünd and Prepare-it software less than a week ago we are already seeing the benefits. Now we have all our services in-house which gives us better control over jobs and gives our clients faster turnaround times. It integrates with all our print machines and streamlines our workflow, saving us hours each day."

He adds: "It was the missing piece of the jigsaw for us to offer a complete service in-house. We are already seeing the benefits as we have gained new clients from having the machine."

Like all Zünd systems, the Zünd G3 L-2500 has a modular design to enable a unique configuration to be created for every user depending on their individual needs, and to be retrofittable with new tools or technology. It is also designed for maximum automation, efficiency and safety, and minimum maintenance and operator intervention, while being robust and reliable for heavy-duty work.

"John E Wright's decision to buy a second Zünd G3 for its Hull plant reflects the impact of its first investment in Nottingham," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "Digital cutting always makes a significant difference to finishing production but Zünd Prepare-it software brings it to another level: workflow is automated to remove the guesswork in nesting, saving time and money.

"It's excellent news that John E Wright is already looking ahead to hiring additional employees and offering new services such as packaging prototypes. Our specialist engineers in St Albans will be available to support and guide the team through the range of new applications it can now offer."

Originally founded in 1900 by Mr John Wright, the company has a long history and is now managed by a professional board of directors headed by fourth-generation MD, Tony Barnett. Following modest beginnings, from early blueprint and then dyeline printing, the company has expanded through a number of acquisitions to become a £7 million business with operations from Hull in the north to Oxford in the south. However, throughout its 115 year history it has always served the needs of the AEC and graphic design markets. The company plans further investment in the exhibition, display and signage markets.