How did Northend achieve its strongest February in 137 years?
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.
Recognised as Bespoke Publications Printer of the Year at the Printweek Awards, Northend has built its reputation on quality, reliability and long term customer relationships.
Why did Northend invest in finishing automation?
With press capacity continuing to grow, 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. “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.”
What impact has the Duplo DC-646 had?
The installation of the DC-646 addressed that challenge 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.”
How has the PFI Blade B2+ expanded Northend’s capabilities?
Alongside it, the PFI Blade B2+ introduced high speed programmable cutting and the ability to produce intricate shapes in house. “We are seeing growing demand for premium pieces and custom shapes,” Ian continues. “Previously some of that work required outsourcing. Now we control it. That improves turnaround, protects margin and strengthens our service offering. During February, that additional capability directly contributed to the volumes we delivered.”
How does Northend maintain quality while growing?
For a business built on trust, scaling output without compromising quality was essential. “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.”
How does automation support Northend’s sustainability strategy?
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.”
What does Duplo think this investment says about the market?
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.”
What is next for Northend?
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.
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.
