Record Month for Northend as Duplo Finishing Investment Pays Immediate Dividends
Northend, a Sheffield-based commercial printer founded in 1889, achieved its strongest February on record following the installation of the Duplo DC-646 and PFI Blade B2+ digital cutting systems. The investment increased automation, reduced finishing bottlenecks and expanded in-house production capability.
Full service print house Northend installed the Duplo DC-646 slitter cutter creaser and the Duplo PFI Blade B2+ digital cutter in February with a clear objective: increase automation, remove finishing bottlenecks and bring more high value work in house. What followed was the strongest February in the company’s 137 year history. From Duplo’s perspective, the result reinforces a clear message. Strategic automation does not just protect growth. It accelerates it.
Founded in 1889 and employing 45 people, Northend combines heritage with a modern production platform. Litho capability centres on a Ryobi RMGT five colour LED UV press, supported by a Canon imagePRESS C10010VP for digital production. In wide format, a Canon Colorado 1650 and Epson SC-S80600 enable the business to serve retail, education, public sector and commercial clients with a broad range of applications.
With that press capacity in place, finishing needed to keep pace. “We have invested heavily across litho, digital and wide format to deliver quality and versatility,” explains Ian McCloskey, Sales Director at Northend. “But as volumes increased and work became more complex, we could see finishing had to evolve at the same rate. Run lengths are shorter, expectations are higher and more jobs require bespoke elements. We did not want finishing to become the constraint in our workflow.”
The installation of the DC-646 addressed that immediately. By automating slitting, cutting, creasing and perforating in a single pass, it reduced setup times and removed multiple manual processes.
“The impact was instant,” Ian says. “The DC-646 gave us speed and consistency straight away. We can move between jobs with minimal setup and complete confidence in the output. That reliability meant we could schedule more work during what became a record month. The efficiencies we’re achieving are primarily due to faster set-ups and smoother running overall.”
Alongside it, the PFI Blade B2+ introduced high speed programmable cutting and the ability to produce intricate shapes in house. “The user-friendly interface on the B2 Blade is enabling quicker job changes and improved operational flow. “We are seeing growing demand for premium pieces and custom shapes,” Ian continues. “The new DC-646 replaces quite an older model offering an increase in speed and accuracy, The old machine is being kept for creasing covers and as a back up device. That improves turnaround, protects margin and strengthens our service offering. During February, that additional capability directly contributed to the volumes we delivered.”
For a business built on trust and recognised as Bespoke Publications Printer of the Year at the 2025 Printweek Awards, scaling output without compromising quality was essential. This year they are shortlisted in three categories, including Bespoke Publications Printer of The Year.
“Our clients rely on us,” Ian says. “When you grow at pace, your infrastructure must support that promise. The Duplo investment gave us the confidence to handle higher volumes without sacrificing standards.”
Efficiency gains also support Northend’s sustainability strategy as a carbon balanced printer.
“Automation is not just about speed,” Ian explains. “It is about precision and control. Fewer errors, fewer remakes and better material usage all contribute to our environmental goals. That matters to us and to our customers.”
For Duplo, Northend’s record February highlights what many ambitious printers are striving for. Increased automation, greater in house capability and the removal of bottlenecks translate directly into commercial performance.
“Northend’s investment shows how forward thinking print businesses respond to growth,” says Simon Kingham, Regional Sales Manager at Duplo UK. “The combination of the DC-646 and the PFI Blade B2+ delivers automation and creative flexibility. It increases throughput without increasing pressure on staff and future proofs the finishing department.”
Ian is clear about the bigger picture. “The record month was not luck,” he says. “It was preparation meeting opportunity. By investing in the DC-646 and the PFI Blade B2+, we positioned ourselves to capitalise on demand. They have strengthened our finishing department and future proofed our growth.”
For printers facing tighter deadlines, more bespoke work and the need to do more with the same team, Northend’s experience sends a clear message. The right finishing investment does not just support growth. It helps create it.
What finishing systems did Northend install?
Northend installed the Duplo DC-646 slitter cutter creaser and the Duplo PFI Blade B2+ digital cutter.
Why did Northend invest in finishing automation?
Northend invested to increase automation, remove bottlenecks, improve turnaround times and bring more high-value work in house.
What is the Duplo DC-646 used for?
The Duplo DC-646 automates slitting, cutting, creasing and perforating in a single pass.
