SET Office Supplies group in the UK installs two digital presses from Ricoh, the Ricoh Pro C901 Color Digital Press and the Ricoh Pro 1357EX mono production press, to replace an existing Kodak machine, boost workflow for future demand

Kendall Sinclair

UK , September 25, 2013 (press release) – The Ricoh Pro C901 has replaced a Kodak M700 digital press with the Pro 1357EX mono press, a new addition to the company’s print production capabilities.

Says Lyndon Ricketts, Print Manager, SET Office Supplies: “We have a number of regional offices and retail outlets across the UK and will be using our new Ricoh machines to serve our retail and commercial customers as well as all our own internal marketing collateral requirements. Initially, we were only looking for a colour digital press to replace the existing Kodak machine. However, Ricoh looked at our current and future requirements and how we wanted to move the business forward, and then recommended the Ricoh 1357EX Mono press as well as it would have a positive impact on our workflow and give us the capability to meet future demand. On the back of this, a decision was made to purchase two machines, both of which were installed on 30th July.”

“We decided to replace the Kodak machine as the service contract had expired and the costs to run the machine were escalating. The technology has also moved on in terms of quality, speed and flexibility and we could clearly see the Ricoh colour machine would provide us with the high quality workhorse we required to meet internal and customer demands. The black & white machine is a great opportunity for us to open up new markets – offering existing clients new services as well as new sectors we haven’t been able to consider before, as we didn’t have the technology in place to serve them effectively. With all the finishing options in place too, we have a truly versatile offering to take to market.”

The Ricoh Pro C901 Colour Digital Press prints at a speed of up 90 A4 pages per minute and offers an extensive Ricoh-built media library that automates media settings for high quality output and fast production workflow. The machine integrates full-colour scanning, copying and document storage for image capture and print-on-demand requirements. With accurate registration paper as heavy as 300gsm in duplex mode without any comprise on speed, the machine is also ideal for printing and mailing DM material and postcards, as well business card printing. Operator replaceable units (ORUs) ensure easy on-site maintenance and maximum uptime.

The Ricoh Pro™1357EX mono production press prints up to 135 sheets per minute simplex and duplex productivity (A4) and boasts the most durable engines in its class with the option to connect two systems to double the output speed. Maintenance is reduced by Operator Replaceable Units and it offers automatic tray switching from nine different paper sources for an uninterrupted workflow. The 1357EX also has one of the widest range of finishing options available including multi-folding, stapling, punching and cover insertion, ring binding, booklet making and perfect binding with 3-side trimming.

Continues Mr Ricketts: “We did go out to a selection of the market leaders when making the decision to replace the Kodak machine. However, in addition to the strength of Ricoh’s technology, we were also very impressed by the level of professionalism shown by the Ricoh team. They have been more than willing to help us and work with us closely through every step of the process ensuring we had exactly the right products for the business, now and in the future. If you find a supplier with a high quality product, competitive pricing, great customer service and cutting edge technology, the decision is much easier to make. Having two fast, dedicated machines – one colour and one black & white, means we are able to effectively print on demand at a much more competitive pricing level for clients but also maximising our own profitability in the process. It puts this division in a great position for growth moving forward.”

“SET Office Supplies started as a small corner shop in Wyndham Arcade in Cardiff in 1974, selling calculators, typewriters and ribbons, and has grown into a Group that is now the largest independent office supplies company in the UK, with an annual turnover in excess of £25 million, employing nearly 250 staff. The SET print production division offers a broad range of products including stationery, brochures, flyer, greeting and post cards, labels, manuals, reports and application forms. Having dedicated mono and colour machines means the company now has a much more productive work-flow, as the 1357EX now produces work such as reports and manuals that would have previously been done on the Kodak colour machine, holding up the colour production process.”

Says Gareth Parker, Strategic Marketing Manager, Ricoh UK: “What the two Ricoh machines have provided SET Office Supplies with, is the freedom to operate in new markets with modern technologies and processes, diversify their business and confidently grow this division of the company. SET has grown over the last 40 years by continuing to innovate and move quickly when it sees opportunity or the market changes. These machines means it now has a solid print technology foundation to ensure its supplies and retail divisions have the robust support they need to grow this side of the business.”

| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is a global technology company specialising in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services.

Under its corporate tagline, imagine.change., Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.

For further information, please visit http://www.ricoh.co.uk.

For further information, please contact Anna Powell, Proof Digital on behalf of Ricoh UK Ltd [e] anna(at)itsproof(dot)co(dot)uk.

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