UK finishing equipment manufacturer Watkiss Automation Ltd is celebrating an increase in sales of 36% in the year ending February 2016. This upward trend is set to continue, with sales figures for March being the highest the company has ever seen.

Commenting on the company’s performance, technical director Mike Watkiss said that the company is reaping the rewards of continued investment in research and development: “We consistently invest heavily in our research and development programmes, which span all disciplines including software, electronic and mechanical design elements.  As a medium sized business, we focus on product differentiation and new ways to help our customers improve efficiency, quality and productivity.  And that is the key – our innovation must deliver true customer benefits.”

Watkiss has, for many years, seen export figures of around 80% with the US and Europe being major markets.  Sales in all regions have shown growth during the past year due to market diversification.

Paul Attew, sales director, attributes the increase to higher sales of the Watkiss PowerSquare booklet maker: “During the past year we have enabled connectivity of our PowerSquare booklet maker to an ever increasing range of printers.  We now connect to Ricoh, Konica Minolta and Canon production printers, which will continue to deliver new opportunities and business growth.”

Watkiss Automation specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of complete bookletmaking and print finishing solutions for the graphic arts, inplant and general commercial printing marketplace.