Trident’s three-pronged attack

So said Michael Brain, chairman of Trident Press, addressing customers at a party at the company’s Cape Town premises where the latest purchase, a brand-new Komori Lithrone S40P press, was officially unveiled.

Since rescuing Trident from near bankruptcy two years ago, Michael Brain has helped to steer the business into calmer waters; and over R34-million has been invested in sharpening the points of its three-pronged trident logo.

The first prong is the commissioning of an Equios online proofing system; the second is the digital capability established with last year’s purchase of an HP Indigo 5500 press plus an array of downstream equipment; and the third is a new Komori Lithrone S40P six-colour printing press.

‘Equios is today’s de facto standard in proofing tools,’ Michael told guests.

He went on to explain that the system uses Adobe Acrobat PDF file format, providing customers with a full interface – without having to leave their offices – and that all job histories are catalogued. ‘Emails giving progress of uploading and proofing data are automatically generated, and printing data transmitted seamlessly to the shop floor without delay or corruption. Equios also features the latest preflight viewing functions, visually alerting customers to errors and allowing revisions to be handled quickly,’ Michael added. ‘In five years’ time, we won’t have to tell you why you should be using online proofing. But it’s certain that if you don’t use this technology, you’ll be left behind,’ he warned.

He then went on to highlight Trident’s digital capabilities. ‘We’re taking digital printing very seriously indeed,’ he maintained, ‘and we intend becoming the leaders in Cape Town.’

His colleague Ebbie Mohamed, MD of TD Printing (Trident’s digital printing operation), also addressed guests, telling them that the HP Indigo 5500, installed last year (PPM Oct11, p82), has proved an enormous asset in meeting customers’ growing demands for shorter run jobs. ‘The integration of digital printing into the Trident operation was simple because of the existing expertise,’ he commented.

Komori is star of the show

Preliminaries over, star of the show was undoubtedly the new Komori six-colour press, which replaced an older four-colour Roland press.

‘It broke the bank; it broke the hearts of some of our competitors; and it brought a smile to the lips of many of our customers,’ Michael quipped.

As Michael started his speech, the team of Komori technicians and Trident’s press operators leapt into action to demonstrate its amazingly fast make-ready performance by starting up a new six-colour job. By the time the speeches finished, the promised pictures of a Ferrari had appeared at the delivery end of the press.

‘With the help of the Komori, we intend to take customer reaction time to a new level,’ Michael noted with a broad smile.

As all three purchases have been made through Kemtek, local agent for Equios, HP Indigo and Komori, it was fitting that Kemtek’s Cape Town sales manager, Wayne Barker, was on hand to regale guests with the Komori’s impressive credentials.

‘By purchasing this six-colour BI format Komori press, Trident has invested in leading-edge technology,’ he told guests. ‘This press is unique in the southern hemisphere as it’s the only 2/4 perfector so far installed in the region. The press is capable of 18 000 sheets/hour and will do 70% of this in perfecting mode.’

Other features mentioned by Wayne were its inline coating capability; automatic plate loading, blanket washing and impression cleaning; and temperature-controlled inking rollers. He focused, too, on the press’s alcohol-free operation and the significant waste reductions achieved. ‘This press is a leading contender against German presses and takes Trident into a new era,’ he remarked.

Summing up proceedings, Michael Brain reiterated the fact that Trident is serious about listening to customers’ requests. ‘These investments prove that we’re sincere about our involvement in the printing and packaging sector … we’ve taken a big bite with the current investments, but we’re certainly not full yet,’ he commented as a tantalising promise of further investments to follow.