Michael Thomson has stepped up to the role of Production Director of Scotland-based Thomson Print & Packaging and within two months his task will be to install a Heidelberg Speedmaster SX52-5+L, a B3 format 5 colour press with coater. Also attaining a directorship role is Michael’s brother Barry who is on the sales side of the business. The Edinburgh company is a family firm run by father Jim Thomson, Managing Director.
This is a business which upgrades its capital equipment regularly and is unafraid of change. Four years ago it stepped up to B2 production with a Speedmaster XL 75-5+LX and two years ago it upgraded its digital printing with a Versafire CV. It has comprehensive Prinect workflows, a factor in its purchasing decision this time round. “We did look at other presses and it is always easy to buy cheaper but that doesn’t always pay,” says Jim Thomson. “The Heidelberg workflow is excellent and, combined with great presses, gives us the stand out quality we require.”
Thomson Print & Packaging is a specialist in high end production. Ten years ago the company would have attributed 98% of its turnover to labels. Today that is only 45% because of the huge growth on the packaging side, fostered by the move to B2. This includes cartons and tubes but also some related booklets and marketing products for the drinks industry.
Michael Thomson says, “The press comes with the new configuration of shorter high-pile delivery with round-nozzle DryStar coating that is now consistent across all Heidelberg presses. This latest technology only requires one slide-in unit for all coating applications and will give us more space, eliminating the need for the extended delivery we needed for drying before.”
