Go-kart graphics specialist KartDavid has invested in its first digital cutting system – a Zünd S3 L1600 – to help it achieve an even faster finish.
While small, the Bristol-based company is a market leader in the world of kart graphics, designing, printing and cutting stickers and other products for drivers, teams and sponsors. Its customers hail from the UK, Europe and the rest of the world in equal ratios.
Founded ten years ago by kart-racing brothers David and Michael Rubie-Todd – who were just 17 and 19 years old respectively at the time – KartDavid opted this year to invest in technology to improve its quality even further, and considered flatbed cutting systems from three brands, finally choosing the Zünd S3.
"The Zünd was not the most expensive of the three but it offered the best in quality, robustness and automation," explains David Rubie-Todd. "We also feel we can scale it and add things on; it will grow with us."
Each Zünd digital cutting table is built in Switzerland to meet the needs of its buyer upon installation, and at a later date. There are numerous choices in terms of bed size, material handling systems, modules and tools for the Zünd S3, G3 and D3 models, allowing users to make adaptations, alterations and upgrades whenever they are required.
The Zünd S3 L1600 installed by KartDavid is one of several size options in the S3 portfolio, offering a bed size of 1,800mm x 1,630mm, and is fully kitted out to make cutting processes considerably faster and more accurate than by hand. KartDavid uses thick, self-adhesive vinyl in special-effect finishes like carbon fibre, glitter, chrome, fluorescent and holographic to create eye-catching images and logos, which the Zünd S3 can process along with dozens of other materials.
David Rubie-Todd adds that he was impressed by the demonstration at Zünd UK Ltd's dedicated showroom in St Albans – which has since been renovated to feature the latest digital cutting hardware and software – and by the technical support offered by the Zünd team.
"We discovered with our print machinery in the past that it makes a massive difference to have good engineers that will support you," he says. "The demonstration team at St Albans gave us that reassurance."
Stuart Cole, Managing Director of Zünd UK Ltd, comments on the investment: "David and Michael started the business from their parents' house while still teenagers, so it's very impressive that they are now market leaders and export their own designs all over the world.
"KartDavid also proves how incredibly flexible Zünd systems are: they can meet the needs of so many different kinds of users, from very small niche businesses with a dedicated customer base to the largest manufacturers able to diversify into multiple markets. We wish KartDavid the best of luck in achieving even faster finish times."
For more information about finishing systems or to book a visit to Zünd UK Ltd's dedicated demonstration suite in St Albans, please email salesuk@zund.com or call 01727 833003.
