Digital production now accounts for more than half the business revenues at Standfast & Barracks with customers being encouraged be part of the new wave of innovation provided through Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital production technologies.
Less than three years since a devastating flood closed the factory for more than four months, Standfast & Barracks continues to cement its partnership with Durst. It expects 60% of turnover to be from digital production by the start of next year. The cutting-edge technology is also helping to drive export growth that by the end of 2018 will represent 20% of sales, of which half are to the USA.
Standfast & Barracks produces more than 150,000 yards of printed fabric per month. And until five years ago, this was all done by conventional printing. Turnover at £15.4 million is now back at the same levels prior to the flooding, with sales success largely down to digital print production advances. The UK fabric printing company has two Durst Alpha 190 systems, which are part of of a new generation of super high-performance multi-pass printers with the One-Step Greentex P ink.
Standfast & Barracks has now trademarked its innovative direct-to-fabric Greentex pigment printed collection, Ecofast, which is sustainable and has highest lightfastness in its class. Using the system that allows printing on almost any type of surface, Standfast & Barracks plans to formally launch the new Ecofast line at Heimtextil in January 2019. Durst’s technology will enable the company to open up market opportunities in areas such as contract and apparel, including outdoor and roller-blinds.
Standfast & Barracks, with a heritage stretching back almost 100 years, employs 200 people and is one of the most versatile and distinctive printers in the world. It is part of the British luxury furnishings group Walter Greenbank Plc and has an international reputation for a commitment to quality, innovation and advanced technologies.
A perfect example is the Durst Alpha is the Alpha 190, part of the Alpha Series that features different configurations and print widths for industrial printing of fashion garment and apparel, home textiles and upholstery. Durst developed the One-Step Greentex P ink especially for the Alpha Series. The environmentally friendly pigment and the reactive and dispersion inks are based on Durst Water Technology.
Stephen Thomas, Managing Director of Standfast & Barracks, said: “Our order books are definitely growing and we are actively encouraging our customers to do more digital printing, pointing out the many benefits. Our investment in Durst’s digital technology continues to trigger new waves of innovation. Digital gives unlimited opportunities and colour variations with the ability to develop new application and products and continue to develop our business – all with the support of Durst. Digital is by far our biggest growth area. It’s the future.”
Martin Winkler, Segment Manager Durst Textile Printing, said: “Standfast & Barracks is an exceptional example of how innovative companies are pushing the barriers by continue to invest in new digital technologies. We take great pride by working in partnership with our customers to help them to bigger and better things. And we look forward to continuing to work closely with Stephen and his great team to further help them grow opportunities that are virtually unlimited with digital.”
