Midlands-based large format printing company Fosco Hayes Hurdley, (Fosco’s) specialises in short-medium run, fast turnaround POS & display work. Earlier this year the company installed a HP Scitex TJ8350 printer with in-line finishing for billboard posters, large format graphics, backlits and self-adhesive vinyl printing for vehicle wraps. Celebrating over 70 years in business, Fosco’s has grown to become one of the largest large format digital print providers in the UK, with over 30 staff and combined premises of over 60,000 square feet spread over two prime locations in Birmingham.
The installation of the HP TJ8350 marked the first stage in Fosco’s expansion plans to meet the rising demand for rigid and flexible substrates. “We needed a machine that would be quick and reliable and maintain the consistency and quality that our customers have come to expect from us,” David Nicholas, MD of Foscos comments. “The HP TJ8350 has allowed us to increase the level of work we take in, especially from trade business where they can outsource to us and be guaranteed high quality, fast turnaround and a great price. Installing this machine has also freed up our two HP XL1500 roll-to-roll printers, enabling a greater capacity for trade banner work.”
Fosco’s is currently installing its second HP Scitex FB7500 Printer. “We had expanded our production with our first FB7500 printer, moving to 24/7 production and occasionally had to turn down work,” continues Nicholas. “We felt there were sound business reasons for investing in another printer. As well as the added capacity, the second printer gives us the security of some flexibility to meet growing demand.”
The two HP Scitex FB7500’s are state of the art direct-to-substrate flatbed UV printers that are incredibly fast and capable of producing well over 3,000 10’ x 5’ sheets a day between them. Fosco’s has in-house digital flatbed cutting facilities and a wide format Digital UV Coater and as a result, can produce work to any size and any finish quickly and professionally in-house, with its own fleet of vehicles ready to deliver.
Chris Southall, Business Development Director of Fosco’s, adds, “Fosco’s understands the needs of the trade customer. For companies that can’t afford to jump into the market at this level we can offer a great service on any substrate at a good price. We understand also the frustrations that sometimes come with outsourcing work as we’ve been there ourselves in the past - and this is what makes Fosco’s stand out from the rest. This experience has helped us build our business to where it is today. We are still growing and have plans in place for further growth during 2011/12.”
Fosco’s was recently awarded the prestigious ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations in response to its customers demands to guarantee quality of service and their commitment to the environment. “Whilst implementing the ISO we realised how this was going to influence all our staff and customers in terms of quality and consistency, as well as reduce our impact on the environment,” said Southall. “In the past, most of our waste went to landfill and by going through the ISO process - although it is tough it’s been worth it - as now, around 90% of our waste is recycled, saving us more than £10,000 per year on waste removal.”
[Photo shows Directors Chris Southall, David Nicholas and Jason Farr standing in front of the second HP Scitex FB7500 recently installed at Fosco Hayes & Hurdley]
