Wallace Print Sees Turnover Boost Following Fujifilm Buy

Wallace Print Sees Turnover Boost Following Fujifilm Buy

Wallace Print has reported a strong start to the year following investment in new print technology and changes to its internal sales structure. The Rochester-based printer is on course to reach a projected turnover of £3 million for 2016, representing an increase of approximately £750,000 compared with the previous year.

The improved performance follows a record-breaking first operating quarter and reflects a combination of operational changes and equipment investment designed to strengthen Wallace Print’s production capabilities.

Managing director Gary Wallace said the results were largely driven by two developments within the business: the installation of a new Fujifilm Acuity Advance HD 3545 flatbed printer and a restructuring of the company’s sales team.

New Flatbed Printer Strengthens Production Capability

Installed in early February, the Fujifilm Acuity Advance HD 3545 has expanded Wallace Print’s large format flatbed printing capability and improved the efficiency of rigid media production.

The flatbed printer is designed to print directly onto a wide range of rigid and flexible materials commonly used in display graphics, signage and retail environments. It operates at production speeds of up to 40.2 square metres per hour and can print at resolutions of 1,440dpi or higher using CMYK inks alongside white.

According to Wallace, the introduction of the machine has had an immediate effect on workflow and output.

“We have been incredibly successful in our first operating quarter,” Wallace said. “There are two reasons for this. The flatbed is the first reason; it changed the workout unbelievably and has allowed us to become adept within our processes and at feeding our machines.”

Flatbed printing technology plays a key role in the production of rigid display graphics and signage where materials such as acrylic, foam board, aluminium composite and other substrates require accurate direct printing.

The machine purchased by Wallace Print was obtained through a part-exchange arrangement involving the company’s previous Océ flatbed printer alongside an investment of approximately £100,000 covering the new equipment, software and recalibration.

The addition of the Acuity Advance HD 3545 means Wallace Print now operates three Fujifilm flatbed printers within its production environment.

White Ink Capability Opens New Opportunities

One of the most significant benefits of the new printer has been the introduction of white ink printing, which allows graphics to be produced on transparent or coloured substrates.

This capability is particularly useful for applications such as window graphics and clear media printing, where white ink can be used as either a base layer or highlight to maintain colour accuracy.

Wallace explained that this feature has already helped the business secure work that would have previously been difficult to produce digitally.

“I have a job going on at the moment doing 3,000 sheets onto clear material, so digitally printing,” he said. “There is no way that at least 90% of SMEs could compete with this.”

The printer has a maximum media size of 1.25 metres by 2.5 metres and a maximum print area of 1.26 metres by 2.51 metres, making it suitable for a wide range of rigid display and retail graphics.

Internal Changes to the Sales Structure

Alongside the equipment investment, Wallace Print has also made internal changes to the structure of its sales team.

Gary Wallace said the reorganisation was designed to strengthen communication between departments and improve how work moves through the business.

“We still had to attract the work so the second reason is I changed the sales team around,” he explained. “I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, but as a team everyone has stepped up to the mark and done what was expected of them, from sales to production.”

By refining the company’s approach to sales and production coordination, Wallace Print has been able to manage increasing job volumes more effectively while maintaining operational efficiency.

Expanding the Finishing Department

To support growing production demand, Wallace Print has also strengthened its finishing department with the recruitment of two additional staff members.

One new team member joined in March and another followed in April, helping to manage the increased throughput generated by the new flatbed printer and rising order volumes.

Finishing remains a critical stage in many projects where accurate trimming, mounting, and preparation are essential before installation or delivery.

Continued Investment and Future Plans

Wallace Print has maintained a steady programme of investment in both production equipment and its Rochester premises.

Last November the business installed a 2m-wide Wohlenberg guillotine to strengthen its finishing capability and carried out improvements to the factory, including the construction of new office space within the building.

Looking ahead, Wallace Print plans to launch a dedicated e-commerce platform designed to support online orders and generate additional work for the production team.

The business is also considering the purchase of another flatbed printer as part of its ongoing development strategy.

Gary Wallace said maintaining a forward-looking approach has been key to the company’s growth.

“What I always think is it’s important not to think like a printer, but to think outside the box and create innovative opportunities,” he said.

Continuing Development at Wallace Print

Wallace Print continues to develop its production capability from its Rochester facility, providing a combination of screen printing, lithographic printing, digital production and large format print services.

The recent investment in Fujifilm technology reflects a wider focus on improving workflow, expanding production capacity and supporting a broader range of display graphics projects across retail, commercial and construction environments. Engineering and production planning mark another step in Wallace Print’s long-term development, with the Rochester facility continuing to evolve alongside the business.