VGL, a long-standing customer of Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, has invested in a new Rhotex 325 production press to meet growing customer demands for more flexible and agile ways of working.

Live production has started this month at VGL’s headquarters in Reading, Berkshire, with the Durst Rhotex 325 perfectly suited to the multi award-winning screen and digital print company’s expansion requirements. Already owning several Durst digital production presses, VGL needed to increase capacity and speed to cope with changing market demands. One new specialist area will involve printing on stretch materials, as well as on transfer papers and textiles.

We needed a decisive response to increased demands for fast turnaround and just-in-time delivery, said VGL Production Director Mark Elen. The Durst Rho 325 literally eats the volumes and is 3-4 times faster than the machines it will replace. Speed is really important when you have multiple clients all wanting their jobs straight away. It’s apparent from this pandemic, more than ever you need to be extremely agile. It’s an even more competitive market where, for example, we get asked by internationally-renowned brands to change job specifications at a moment’s notice. And often you won’t know whether it’s 300 or 3,000 square meters to be printed. The Durst machines are absolutely superb and extremely reliable.

VGL’s broad portfolio covers outdoor signage, transport, architectural, retail and promotional work as well as consultancy and strategic project management. The one-stop shop also has a creative studio and provides full services from idea concept through to installation completion. In recent years, it has won awards such ‘Out of Home’ printer (PrintWeek), ‘Innovation’ (Digital Printer) and ‘Posters’ / Best in Show (both FESPA).

Mr Elen said: We’re dedicated to innovation and committed to investing in the latest technology, which Durst provides. Durst, like VGL, is a family-owned business and has people who are easy to deal. The organization understands our business, is very supportive to our exacting requirements and the service levels are high. This is a real partnership.

The Rhotex 325 is a dual purpose printing system that combines direct-to textile printing with dye sublimation transfer printing technology. Depending on the application and fabric, this printing system can alternate between paper transfer and direct printing on polyester-based materials in no time. This is possible, thanks to the new Durst WTS printhead technology, which achieves an exceptionally high-quality print using water-based environmentally friendly dispersion inks for various printing materials, and reaches a printing speed of up to 4,195 sq ft/hour.

Peter Bray, Managing Director of Durst UK & Ireland, said: VGL is an example of how companies continue to buy into the Durst ethos and world-class expertise, rather than just an investment in systems and software. This provides the confidence to control costs  and make the most of new business opportunities. We’re extremely proud that our systems continue to be the catalyst to help them grow and open new avenues, including printing on transfer paper and textiles. We anticipate making more announcements soon.

Prepared on the basis of information from Durst