In automotive terms, 0-600 in three weeks might seem somewhat irrelevant, but for one Northamptonshire-based exhibition and display contractors, that sort of performance proved to be just what was needed to transform their business fortunes, following their investment in a Mimaki JFX200-2513 flatbed LED UV printer.
From its base in Croughton, Northants, Modex Exhibitions produces bespoke, modular exhibition stands and displays for clients as diverse as BAE Systems, Nat West and Nottinghamshire County Council. Established in 2003, the company has developed a simple but highly effective business model which provides clients with a uniquely designed ‘one-stop’ modular exhibition display package, which includes: graphics, flooring, furniture, lighting, installation & removal, all at a fixed price per square metre.
Director Rob Brooks takes up the story: “Modex Exhibitions is well established as a designer and builder of high quality, custom-modular exhibition stands, delivered at a realistic price. We undertake virtually everything in-house, but the one thing that historically we’ve never had the capability for was the actual print of the graphics panels, which we had always outsourced.”
Without any prior knowledge or experience in print operations, it was a chance meeting with the team from Preston-based Mimaki re-seller Granthams, which led to a demonstration of the JFX200 at UK Mimaki distributor, Hybrid Services, in Crewe.
“Within 20 minutes of the demonstration starting I was convinced that this machine was just what we needed to become almost totally self-sufficient as a business – the speed and print quality just blew us away!” continues Brooks, who was so impressed he didn’t really feel the need to check out the competition.
Placing an order immediately, the combined efforts of the teams at Granthams and Hybrid Services saw the machine duly installed by mid-January and starting to earn its keep within days. The new JFX200 has quickly established itself as a really important production tool for the business, making a significant contribution to the production of 30 to 40 display stands per month. As Brooks explains: “From a standing start at installation, within the first three weeks we had successfully printed more than 600 8’ x 4’ rigid Foamex display boards... all without a single problem!”
The Mimaki JFX200-2513 Flatbed LED UV Printer offers a choice of inks, including white and clear, providing unlimited creative opportunities. With the capability to print to a wide range of substrates, the JFX200 maximizes productivity by using industry standard (8' x 4') media on its 2.5m x 1.3m bed.
In addition to the obvious performance talents of the JFX200, the new machine has garnered much praise within the business for the ease of use that it offers, which has proved to be a very significant benefit for a business with no previous print experience. As Brooks himself concludes: “Investing in the Mimaki has turned us from Luddites to high volume printers in a few weeks ... and we’ve got the photos to prove it!”
For more information about Modex Exhibitions visit its website: www.modexuk.com
[Photo caption: Jim Marshall from Modex Exhibitions operating the JFX200]
