October 2026

Scottish packaging specialist strengthens its digital production capabilities alongside its new HP Indigo 35K, delivering greater flexibility, faster turnaround times and improved control.

With more than 160 years of printing heritage, Scottish packaging specialist Gavin Watson Ltd, part of The GT4 Group is investing in the future of packaging production with the installation of a Duplo DSM-1000 B2 die cutter. Working alongside its recently installed HP Indigo 35K Digital Packaging Press, the new system will enable the business to bring more finishing work in-house, strengthen quality control and respond to growing demand for shorter-run, high-quality packaging.

For CEO Tom Brown, the October 2026 investment represents an opportunity to take greater control of production while creating new possibilities for customers. "The installation will significantly improve our production capabilities by allowing us to bring work in-house and giving us greater control over the entire production process," explains Tom. "It will enable us to deliver faster turnaround times, improve scheduling flexibility and respond more efficiently to customer requirements. By managing the process on-site, we can maintain closer quality control at every stage, ensuring greater consistency, accuracy and a high-quality finished product."

Building on 160 Years of Printing Expertise

Gavin Watson Ltd serves customers ranging from blue-chip brands in the whisky, food and drinks industries to emerging businesses bringing new products to market. Operating from a 24,000sqft facility with approximately 60 employees, the business has continued to invest in technology to meet the changing demands of the packaging market. Its production capabilities include a seven-colour Komori LS 729 B2+ lithographic press with coater, HP Indigo digital printing technology and two Gietz hot foiling machines.

The DSM-1000 represents an entirely new addition to the company's finishing capabilities, complementing its recent investment in the HP Indigo 35K. "Our customers range from blue-chip clients in the whisky, food and drinks industries to emerging brands bringing new products to market," says Tom. "We will use the machine to cut and crease sleeves, boxes and promotional materials, while the PFi Blade B2 will allow us to offer rapid prototyping for clients."

Making Short-Run Packaging Commercially Viable

Rather than investing in a conventional die-cutting system, Gavin Watson selected the DSM-1000 for its ability to combine finishing quality with the flexibility required for modern digital production.

"The decision to invest in the Duplo DSM-1000 forme cutter, rather than a conventional forme cutter, was driven by the need for a modern, efficient solution that complements our digital and conventional production environment," explains Tom. "As digital print continues to demand shorter runs, faster turnaround times and greater flexibility, we required a machine capable of keeping pace with these demands while maintaining exceptional finishing quality."

Reducing make-ready times was particularly important, enabling the business to move efficiently between jobs without the lengthy preparation associated with conventional finishing equipment. "A key factor in our decision was the speed and simplicity of make-readies, allowing jobs to be set up quickly and efficiently, reducing downtime and making short-run and bespoke work more commercially viable."

Tom also highlights the benefits of the machine’s waste ejection system. “It removes waste more effectively, reduces manual intervention and delivers a cleaner, more consistent finished product.”

The DSM-1000's registration control and ability to produce three cuts on a sheet from a single die were further considerations, helping Gavin Watson maximise efficiency across its packaging applications.

A Smooth Transition Backed by Duplo Expertise

Introducing new technology into an established production environment requires effective training and support. For Gavin Watson, the installation process has helped operators quickly become confident with the DSM-1000. "The transition to the new machine has been particularly smooth, thanks to the excellent training provided," says Tom. "Our operators have adapted quickly and confidently to the new technology. The quality of the training has helped minimise the learning curve, allowing the team to integrate the machine into our existing production workflow with minimal disruption."

"This has ensured that we can realise the benefits of the investment quickly, improving productivity, reducing set-up times and maintaining consistently high standards of finished work."

Gavin Watsons relationship with Duplo was already established, with previous experience providing reassurance throughout the investment process. "I have been extremely happy with the excellent service and support provided throughout the entire process. From the initial discussions through to installation, training and after-sales support, the team has been professional, knowledgeable and responsive at every stage. Their commitment to ensuring a smooth installation and successful integration has been greatly appreciated, giving us confidence in both the equipment and the ongoing support behind it. Although I wasn't entirely surprised, as we already have other Duplo equipment and I was already aware of the excellent service and quality of the machinery."

For Wendy Hogg, Regional Sales Manager at Duplo UK, the relationship with Gavin Watson goes well beyond the installation itself. “It's been a real pleasure working with Tom and the team at Gavin Watson. They're a fantastic company to deal with, and it's exciting to see their ambition for the future. We've built a strong partnership based on trust and a shared commitment to helping the business grow. We're looking forward to supporting Gavin Watson as they continue to develop, ensuring they have the right solutions in place for sustained, long-term growth.”

Investing in the Future of Packaging

With its combination of lithographic, flexographic and digital printing capabilities, The GT4 Group is positioning itself to meet the increasingly diverse requirements of the packaging market.

The addition of the DSM-1000 reflects a wider commitment to technology and continuous improvement, ensuring the business can respond to changing customer expectations without compromising on quality. "Our investment in technology and continuous improvement positions us to grow within the expanding short-run digital market, offering greater flexibility, faster turnaround times and consistently high-quality results," concludes Tom. "Our ambition is to become the supplier of choice for litho, flexo and digital packaging solutions, delivering innovation, reliability and exceptional service to meet the evolving needs of our customers."

More than 160 years after its beginnings, Gavin Watson continues to build on its established reputation, combining traditional printing expertise with modern digital technology to create new opportunities in packaging production.