Oosterhout, maggio 2017
- Collaboration between the UK-based printer
Newsprinters UK and the Dutch specialist in automation systems for the printing
industry, Q.I. Press Controls (QIPC), is progressing nicely. In the wake of a
huge order from Newsprinters in 2014, both parties are now reflecting on almost
three years of successful cooperation and looking forward to a bright new
future.
Biggest order yet for QIPC
At the time, the order that QIPC received from
Newsprinters nearly three years ago was the biggest in the Dutch company’s
history. A total of 134 IDS-3D cameras were installed at two of Newsprinters’
sites in the UK: at Broxbourne, just north of London; and at Eurocentral, close
to Glasgow in Scotland. Fourteen manroland COLORMAN XXL printing presses have
been equipped with QIPC’s automatic colour control. “We still feel a sense of
pride at landing the order,” explains QIPC’s managing director Menno Jansen.
“But even after we sell and install our systems, we aim to stay in close
contact with the customer. This way we can improve our products on an ongoing
basis.”
Trial project
QIPC ran an evaluation project at the Broxbourne plant
from 2010 so that Newsprinters would know exactly what they were getting.
“We've been working with QIPC for some years now,” says Mark Ellington, Group
Technical Services Director at Newsprinters. “Originally, to help develop their
IDS-3D colour control system and to understand what its potential was. Our
experience of working with QI on this project gave us the confidence to place a
sizeable order.”
Constant dialogue
The system has now been operating on fourteen of
Newsprinters’ presses for over two years. “QIPC has demonstrated its worth and
is a tried and trusted partner,” Mark Ellington continues. “They listen
carefully to our ideas and requirements.
and are able to deliver innovative solutions when we challenge them with a
problem.” According to Menno Jansen, a key factor in successful collaboration
is maintaining the dialogue with customers who buy QIPC systems. “We
communicate with our customers in numerous ways,” he emphasises. “And keeping
in close contact with them is the only way we can ensure our systems stay ahead
of those of our competitors.”
IQM
A concrete example of the way in which Newsprinters
and QIPC collaborate is the IQM quality management system. This system enables
Newsprinters to perform a comprehensive data analysis of their presses’
performance. The system uses IDS-3D cameras and separate software. “We are
constantly working with QIPC to develop new features and to raise the
performance of the systems,” confirms Mark Ellington. “We believe there is
significant potential for using QIPC’s systems to provide condition monitoring of
our presses. For example, QIPC have developed a special reporting button
which allows us to record an incident. The data is subsequently reviewed by QIPC
who will work with us to diagnose and fix the problem.”
Future
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the 134 IDS-3D cameras
and the IQM system continue to do their work at Broxbourne and Eurocentral.
Both companies benefit from the partnership. On the one
hand, Newsprinters can work more efficiently thanks to QIPC’s automation, and
on the other, QIPC has a satisfied customer in Newsprinters. Perhaps the
biggest advantage however, is that both companies are able to develop their
systems thanks to the
expertise of the other. “That’s how
successful partnerships are built,” concludes Mark Ellington. “In my view both companies
profit enormously from the collaboration and we are keen to continue working
with QIPC to develop further innovative solutions for our printing presses.”
Presenting of Delft blue gift in honor of the successful cooperation between QIPC and Newsprinters UK. From left to right: Steve Whitehead, Operations Director Broxbourne Newsprinters, Menno Jansen, Chairman QIPC and Mark Ellington, Group Technical Services Director Newsprinters