So when Steve saw the Xerox iGen3 Digital Production Press at one of the Xerox epicentre showrooms in Singapore, and then again at this year’s PacPrint he knew that it would be the perfect next step for the company that he formed with Cid Sayers.
“The iGen3 addresses a number of the requirements that we are seeing in the market today� Matthews said. “There is always a push for a faster press, for larger sizes, and for offset press-like output”. With that in mind Steve had been working closely with the Fuji Xerox New Zealand team in Wellington to take advantage of the press pending its release in this country.
“Cid and I looked at what this style of press would do for our company. Obviously we could see great productivity gains in the speed it runs heavy weight stocks, but also we looked towards new market opportunities where we could offer extended capabilities to our customers. The quality that we have seen being printed on this press has been stunning, so the impact of being first to market with this technology will take Excel Digital to a new level” Matthews said.
After a great deal of planning Fuji Xerox New Zealand announced the release of the iGen3 in August this year. Excel Digital spared no time in making their intention to buy known. This triggered the stringent process required for the installation of such a revolutionary piece of equipment. Arrangements had to be made with personnel from around the globe to facilitate a time when the press could be installed on the Excel Digital premises.
With all going to schedule the first iGen3 Digital Production Press will be running commercially in early 2006. According to Matthews
“The sales team are really fired up with the latest move. They are hearing every day of new applications that will take advantage of the capabilities of this press”
Excel Digital has specified the optional Extra Large sheet modification for their press. This gives them the ability to print onto a sheet size of 571mm x 365mm. “One of the first applications we were asked to do was gate fold brochures. We can now do those to a size of 190mm per panel. While it is not quite A4 finished, it is considerably larger than what else is available in the market” said Matthews.
