Business - Knowledge

Widely recognised as the largest signage contractor and wide format printer in the Birmingham region and providing an impressive array of graphics and digitally printed products to blue-chip clients in London, Manchester and across the UK, Hollywood Monster has inevitably developed a voracious appetite for printable media of all types.

Sales Director of Hollywood Monster, Simon McKenzie explains: “Since the amalgamation of sister companies Hollywood Signs and Monster Digital in 2009, the business has gone from strength to strength... Even with the continued development of electronic digital media and signage, the demand for printed sign and graphics continues to grow and here at Hollywood Monster we’re always looking for new ways of creating impact for marketers and helping them to grab the attention of their target audience.”

Now employing more than 70 people, Hollywood Monster boasts a skilled team of graphic designers, draftsmen, structural engineers, model makers, traditional signwriters, welders, painters, civil engineers, decorators and carpenters. The business operates 24/7, on a wide range of state-of-the-art, wide-format print equipment that would be the envy of any sign and graphics print house.  Such an impressive kit roster needs ‘feeding’ with printable media and as a result Hollywood Monster has forged a very strong relationship with Lancashire-based Soyang Europe.

Commenting on the relationship, Soyang’s Managing Director Mark Mashiter says: “We are now well established as a major provider of printable media for the wide and grand format sectors and we have developed our sphere of influence by bringing innovative new materials and substrates to companies that have the ability and the vision to work with it and help us to develop the product. Hollywood Monster fits that profile perfectly.” 

Explaining what he feels sets Soyang Europe apart from other media suppliers and makes them more appealing to companies like Hollywood Monster, Mashiter says: “You don’t grow to the size that Hollywood Monster have without having something different to offer - just like Soyang really. We’re always on the look-out for innovative new materials and scour the globe for the ‘next big thing’. The team at Hollywood Monster acknowledge that and know that we’re always going to be ahead of the curve and deliver something that they can add value to and use to help their customers stand out from the crowd in an increasingly competitive market place.”

The alliance between Hollywood Monster and Soyang runs rather deeper than the traditional customer/supplier relationship. As Mashiter explains: “Hollywood Monster are now much more than commodity buyers – they are innovative specialists in their field and have earned their right to demand the very best. By working in partnership with them we’ve been able to fine tune certain products to meet specific needs and applications.”

A sentiment that Hollywood Monster’s McKenzie endorses: “We know that we can rely on Soyang to deliver the right materials for the job and over the years we’ve been able to influence the more detailed specifications of certain types of media. Few other media suppliers we know of have such a strong influence on their production partners and the ability to respond to development requirements so effectively. Through Soyang we’ve been able to influence the production of textiles in much greater widths, resulting in fewer seams in the finished job, and much more versatile and ‘stretchier’ fabrics that lend themselves to more creative applications.”

Hollywood Monster is also currently working with one of Soyang’s latest product developments G-Floor - a high density clear, flexible PVC substrate capable of being printed to the underside using either UV curable or solvent inks on a grand-format printer, to provide highly durable and creative marketing opportunities in a wide range of public spaces.

As Mashiter concludes: “Soyang and Hollywood Monster are an excellent ‘fit’ –  family-based operations, with a similar length of time in business, that remain privately-owned, with a strong desire to create mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships.” 

However for all the strong ethical and cultural fit, Soyang’s ability to deliver remains high on Hollywood Monster’s agenda. McKenzie explains: “As our business continues to expand, the demands on us become ever-greater, and we need to be able to rely on our suppliers to go the extra mile. Soyang’s impressive new distribution facility in Lancashire and massive stock-holding shows they mean business and we know they can guarantee next day delivery, anywhere in the UK. That’s vitally important to us, as is the incredible depth of knowledge that every member of their team have about the products they are providing.”

Soyang Europe certainly look to be perfectly placed to keep this ‘monster’ of a business suitably well-fed…

[Image shows (above) superwide format images produced by Hollywood Monster and (below) Soyang Europe's warehouse.]

Tharstern has targeted Graph Expo 15 at McCormick Place, Chicago, from 13-15 September as the formal launchpad for its expansion into America.

Just over 12 months after a management buyout and completing its most successful year in business, Tharstern has announced plans to roll out comprehensive software solutions across the continent as part of its dedicated aim to helping the printing and packaging industries prosper.

During Graph Expo on Tharstern’s booth 158, Managing Director Keith McMurtrie and Global Sales Director Lee Ward will be hosting prospective customers at Graph Expo, as well as introducing new US-based staff for the new company, Tharstern Inc.

They will be explaining to customers and other show visitors how Tharstern’s software helps businesses worldwide manage sales, production, procurement and fulfilment efficiently by providing a ‘joined up’ workflow including JDF integrations to other vendors’ workflow solutions.

Tharstern, the pioneering specialist software house formed more than 30 years ago, is trusted by over 600 UK print businesses and more than 50 in Australasia. It has a total of 7,000 users of its MIS and workflow solutions.

Tharstern’s technology covers intelligent estimating, a leading print-based CRM solution and comprehensive integrations to storefront, customer purchasing, account, prepress, press and post-press systems and solutions.

Lee Ward, Tharstern’s Global Sales Director, said: “We are proud to work with all the major manufacturers. One of the many factors behind our decision to launch into America was the extremely positive response to our participation in the DScoopX 10th annual conference in Washington in March.”

He added: “At Graph Expo we will be proudly showing how the ease of integrating our pioneering MIS into other workflows such as those, for example, used by other market-leaders that include Heidelberg and  HP – both using us as a preferred partner for MIS – manroland, Komori, Xerox, Esko, Enfocus Switch, Kodak, Agfa and Fuji. Our systems help clients grow their market share and increase revenues.”

Zünd's 31-year history shows that close attention to users' needs and a wide-angled focus on innovation is what makes a technology company successful. Established by Karl Zünd as a sole proprietorship in Altstätten, Switzerland in 1984, the company has refined the development of its cutting systems while steadily expanding across the globe.

Its British arm, based in St Albans, celebrated a record year for sales in 2014: reporting a 35 per cent increase compared to 2013. While this is partly a reflection of growing confidence in British manufacturing following the recession, it is certainly also attributable to Zünd's capacity and willingness to look beyond a single industry. Beginning with plotting and cutting systems for leather and graphics, the development of modular tool heads for plotting, cutting, routing and engraving in 1992 opened up a range of new applications for users, and markets for the manufacturer. The introduction of digital technology and increase of speed means Zünd equipment is now found in a vast range of industries, including signage and graphics, packaging, aerospace, automotive, model making, clothing and footwear, flooring, defence, architecture, sports and recreation, pattern making and upholstery.

Moreover, each Zünd machine is configured to meet the unique requirements of each user. The range comprises the Zünd S3 and the Zünd G3 (plus the Zünd L3 for leather work), designed as modular units that can be tailor-made for the customer and updated retroactively. Accompanying software and tools enable the maximum flexibility for the machinery, growing with businesses as they expand or diversify.

Of course, Zünd is best known in our sector for cutting tables used in print rooms for large-format graphics, soft signage, commercial print and packaging. In an industry where it's the print quality that is key, the finishing equipment that makes a completed product is often quietly whirring away in the background; print businesses including Hollywood Monster, Fine Print and John E Wright have all invested in Zünd cutters in recent years to accompany new printer purchases.

Canon, CMYUK, i-Sub Digital and Spandex are authorised Zünd UK distributors, with Zünd UK also supplying machines, spares and technical support from its St Albans headquarters – which is completed with a demonstration suite. Recently renovated, the dedicated space allows potential buyers to see machines away from the crowds of trade shows or bustle of a working printroom, providing the necessary time to ask questions and all the information to receive full answers. In addition, Zünd UK is often a significant presence on the events calendar, from exhibiting at British trade shows independently or with a distributor, to hosting open days in St Albans or supporting the Swiss HQ at international industry shows.

Zünd UK combines Swiss engineering's enviable reputation with a British sense of customer service and family values. With no shareholders to placate, Zünd can work harder to provide practical support and advice to users and, while the equipment could not be considered cheap, customers know the profits will go back into the business. The Swiss factory itself is an exercise in sustainability – an issue Zünd counts as a priority. Utilising solar and geothermal power, featuring landscaped green roofs and favouring local suppliers for its component parts, Zünd has a clear goal of reducing the factory's carbon emissions. By making improvements in energy efficiency and waste reduction in every machine upgrade Zünd also helps its customers to improve their sustainability while increasing speed and profit margins. As print technology developments continue apace, this view of sustainability is win-win.

In just the past year, Zünd cutting tables have been admired by Prime Minister David Cameron, used to recreate the Lego Batmobile in soapbox form, installed by world-renowned architecture and design practice Foster + Partners and featured on the Discovery Channel. Zünd UK's bumper year in 2014 could easily be followed by an even better one in 2015.

Papergraphics has been appointed as an HP Gold Graphics Specialist for the Latex 300 Series printers.

The partnership will see Papergraphics distribute HP’s latex range of printers, considered its most popular product line, to the UK market. This announcement marks the next step in Papergraphics planned growth, positioning the company as a complete solutions provider.  The news also complements the recent appointment of the Paperlinx UK's digital solutions team, who have extensive experience working with the HP team as well as knowledge of the latex printers now available through Papergraphics.

Nathan Atkins, Managing Director of Papergraphics, said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with HP.  The Latex technology perfectly complements many of our unique medias such as our wall covering range, whilst also sharing many of the key features found in the rest of our range such as versatility, green credentials, and price point.  We see this as an exciting addition to our portfolio which will allow us to work with HP and our customers to push this versatility to its limits and open up new applications and revenue streams for our customer base.

"We see Latex as an important strategic addition to our evolving range of print & finishing equipment and we are confident that in the near future we will conclude our range which will then provide our team with the ability to put together the right solutions for each of our many varied & unique customers' needs."

Speaking about the appointment, Jane Rixon, Channel Business Manager, HP, said: “We’re very much looking forward to getting this partnership underway with Papergraphics. Having just extended our range, we want to ensure that we’re tapping into the core market effectively, and with partners who share our enthusiasm for applications.  With the experience of working with the Paperlinx team previously and Papergraphics’ strong reputation in the UK, we’re confident that this is the right move to expand our presence in the UK.”

For more information on Papergraphics, please visit www.paper-graphics.com

Soyang Europe is celebrating 10 years in the digital print media industry this month. There has been tremendous growth for the company over the last decade, with innovative new products, staff expansion and new premises which looks set to continue with new additions to its flourishing product portfolio anticipated.

Established by Managing Director, Mark Mashiter, and two other founder directors, Soyang Europe's original team of 4 UK staff initially worked out of industrial premises in Oldham, as Mashiter explains: “Our first three containers of material were paid for on credit card, but within 12 months we had to take on extra warehousing space and shortly after relocated to a 17,000sq ft. warehouse in Bury to deal with the demand.”

After ensuring its core ‘So’ product ranges were firmly established in an expanding customer base, Soyang Europe went on to develop partnerships with both Portuguese PVC and acrylic coated media supplier Endutex (in 2007) and German technical textile specialists Aurich (in 2010). “We have always been committed to providing state-of-the-art media,” says Mashiter. “Our product range has continued to grow over the last 10 years and the breadth of applications now achievable is astounding. We continue to provide a substantial range of quality materials for general print production, but the scope of some of the creative products taken on as we’ve expanded has given us a real reputation for having Every Surface Covered.”

Since 2011, the Soyang Europe team has expanded further, with sales director, Andrew Simmons, and sales managers, Tim Egerton and David Hunter, coming on board to further bolster the core business, whilst long-term employee Bryn Aspinall became a 3% shareholder. March 2014 saw the company purchase its current site – a 70,000sq ft. premises in Altham, Lancashire – which, as Mashiter explains, has provided the space necessary to strengthen its offering: “Calder House has given us the square footage we need to meet the growing demands of our customers and the facilities enable us to deliver on customer promises, such as next day delivery as standard.”

Soyang Europe’s capacity for thinking outside the substrate box has led to the European launch of a selection of innovative new products. Its vision of having 'Every Surface Covered' for its customers leads its team around the globe, breaking new ground with cutting-edge materials for the sign and graphics industry.

“Celebrating 10 years of Soyang Europe is a real landmark achievement for the team and I know that exciting times are ahead, with further new products on the horizon,” Mashiter concludes.

Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT) has announced that it will be a key reseller for HP's new range of flatbed industrial printers, the HP Scitex FB550 and FB750. Following on from the company's success with HP's Latex range of printers, GPT is extending its relationship with HP to include the new printers.

GPT is encouraging customers to book a full demo to learn more about the printer range and how it can drive revenues and profitability in their business. GPT has also confirmed it will have an HP FB550 in its showroom in time for the company's PrintoberFest event on 7th and 8th October.

Shaun Thompson, General Manager of GPT, says: "This is a hugely exciting announcement for GPT and one that we are very excited about. We only started focusing on the HP Latex range at the start of this year and we have already exceeded our sales targets, thanks largely to a very successful Sign & Digital show. Being appointed as one of the key resellers for the new HP flatbed printers further promotes our relationship with HP."

Jane Rixon of HP adds: "GPT has shown an excellent understanding of the industry and, more specifically, of the specific requirements that customers are looking for. They are a responsive, professional organisation with a lot of technical, market and application knowledge. We know they are also very strong in the flatbed printers market and we are very much looking forward to growing a solid and successful partnership with them."

HP Scitex FB550 and FB750 Printers provide print and graphics production companies an entrance into rigid printing with one of the most compact printers. It is equipped with an enhanced loading system, which increases workflow for improved profitability. With high uptime and automatic maintenance, the HP Scitex Printers are proven robust, easy-to-use workhorses printing on both rigid and flexible media with a single device.

The HP Scitex FB550 and HP Scitex FB750 now offer a new tabletop roll holder design for flexible substrates enabling easy, fast and efficient short-run printing, and new tapered wheels for easy and safe media loading, preventing media edge damage. The printers offer greater image quality and full bleed on max widths with the same capability of printing on virtually any rigid or flexible media (up to 2.5 inches).

Shaun Thompson concludes: "I am confident that our customers and the market in general will look at this announcement as an endorsement of the capabilities of GPT. We are developing strategically and positively and our commitment is to offer our customers the very best possible printing solutions the market has to offer. We look forward to hearing from anyone interested in an HP FB550 or FB750 and who wants to see a demo."

For more information, please visit www.g-p-t.co.uk