Warners Boosts Production with New Manroland 700 Evolution Press

Warners, a prominent printing enterprise located in Bourne, Lincolnshire, has taken a significant stride towards enhancing its production efficiency by introducing a new Manroland R710P Elite 3B press. This recent addition replaces an older, 10-unit perfecting press that had been operational for a decade. The new equipment marks a substantial advancement in the company’s capabilities, pointing towards a future of heightened productivity and effectiveness.

In a discussion with PrintWeek earlier this year, Michael Warner, the Marketing Director at Warners, provided insights into the extensive and meticulous selection process the company undertook to choose their new Manroland 700 Evolution Press. Despite Warners’ long-term partnership with Manroland, which dates back to 2006 when they first started using Manroland Lithoman web presses and later Manroland sheetfed presses, selecting the right press was not straightforward. The market offers a plethora of impressive options, making the decision-making process quite challenging.

Warner explained the decision criteria: “After carefully assessing our requirements and evaluating what would serve our purposes best, we decided to continue our journey with Manroland. We are already accustomed to the interface and are well-acquainted with the company. Among all the cut-sheet presses we considered, this one seemed like the perfect fit for our needs.”

The newly installed R710P press, which features a reel-fed cutter, is set to handle everyday printing tasks including the production of covers, supplements, and special paginations that are not suitable for the company’s existing Lithoman web presses. Warner expressed his team’s enthusiasm for the new press, comparing it to the zeal of an F1 pit crew, with a focus on optimizing the setup times and swiftly producing high-quality outputs. “Our print runs can go as low as 2,000 copies, so the real gain for us with this new press is in enhancing efficiencies,” he added.

Warner also noted that the acquisition of the new press was the culmination of an 18-month search conducted by a dedicated team. The transition plan was meticulously organized over six months to ensure that the new press could be installed in the same space as the outgoing one, facilitating a smooth changeover. “It’s essentially a one-out, one-in situation. We have prepared extensively and have sufficient space to house the reels,” Warner detailed.

This significant upgrade is part of Warners’ ongoing commitment to operational efficiency. In 2023, the company installed its third set of solar panels and launched a comprehensive plan to improve energy efficiency, which resulted in saving approximately one Gigawatt-hour of energy. Highlighting the company’s forward-looking agenda, Warner emphasized, “Reducing our carbon footprint is a critical goal for us, and we are dedicated to prioritizing sustainability into 2024 and beyond.”

Through these strategic upgrades and environmental initiatives, Warners is not only bolstering its production capabilities but is also reinforcing its commitment to sustainability. The integration of cutting-edge technology with an emphasis on energy efficiency exemplifies Warners’ role as a leader in the printing industry, poised for future growth while being mindful of its environmental impact.