From its East Tamaki Auckland base, retail display manufacturer APC Innovate produces a range of award winning work. The company has been around for 50 years and now employs around 100 staff members.
APC Innovate also has a reputation in the industry as a technology leader. Tim Houlden, chief executive at APC Innovate, says, “We take pride in ensuring that where new technology can add value to the business that we take a leadership position.”
Recently, the company installed a new HP Latex 2700 W printer, supplied through Aarque Group. Tim, says, “This new piece of equipment will mainly service our large and increasing volumes of self-adhesive work. We have been running several HP L800 printers, and this installation enables us to retire a couple of those machines, but also to increase capacity, capability and quality.
“Over the last two weeks, since it was installed, we have only had a couple of minor tweaks but nothing that wasn’t well looked after by the team from Aarque.”
Volume and quality
When HP introduced the Latex 2700 W printer to the market, the company wanted to offer signage and print companies a solution that could deliver high volumes of large-format signage and decorative applications at speed, while also providing high quality printing at speed.
Tim says, “The HP Latex 2700 W printer gives us higher productivity. which really helps to even out the peaks and affords us more scope to take on extra work. While it is definitely a step up in terms of operation over the older technology, it is also relatively easy to use and initial and ongoing training from Aarque Group ensures we have no issues.”
The HP Latex 2700 W prints on a wide range of signage and décor applications, including thin films, vinyl, and papers. Achieving print speeds of up 21 square metres per hour, this 3.2m wide printer delivers increased efficiency with features like its automatic printhead cleaning and an intuitive interface.
Steve Wilton-Jones, national equipment sales consultant at Aarque Group, says, “In addition to its speed, print quality and versatility, the HP Latex 2700 W printer carries the same sustainability certifications as HP’s other Latex solutions. These include UL Ecologo, UL Greenguard Gold, and Energy Star. Signage and print companies share the environmental concerns of their customers, which HP has successfully addressed. From indoor air quality to ink chemistry, the company has covered both print production and display as well as lifecycle considerations. It means you can align your business to provide more environmentally products.
“We adopt a meticulous approach to business, insisting on measurable solutions that will improve results for both the team and their clients. We take great pride in meeting this challenge and facilitating this nhancement for APC Innovate.”
Industry support
APC Innovate is a long-time supporter of PrintNZ. Tim says, “It is important to support industry associations in that it ensures that smaller operations are well supported as well as providing APC with an easy to access source of relevant regulatory information that is important to our industry.
The company is also a member of the exclusive Pride In Print Awards 100 club. The company boasts a phenomenal record of over 120 Gold medals, over 50 Highly Commended and seven category wins. Tim comments, “Our success at Pride In Print reinforces to the market (clients, staff and suppliers) our position and as innovators and market leaders in quality and design.
“At APC Innovate, we love taking a customer’s concept and turning it into something that makes a wow impact out in the market. As lead times become shorter, having the additional speed and capacity that the HP Latex 2700 W printer brings us is a major plus.” .
