Fast-Track Exception to the Rule

-- graphic arts online, 2/1/2001

Norwood, Mass. is the site of the fast-track development of a general commercial printing company that's banking on 40" sheetfeds for its quick growth serving ad agencies, high-tech companies, and area universities.

There, in the highly competitive Boston market, Millennium Graphics was established in July 2000 with two Komori Lithrone 40 sheetfeds, a six-color and an eight-color. By November, the company needed more capacity and bought a third Lithrone 40, another six-color.

"We decided at the outset that the 40" size is standard for the type of work we were planning to produce," says Tony Escobar, president of the firm, which now employs 50 people. "We originally planned to add a third press in 2001 but found ourselves with even quicker growth than we anticipated."

Key to the decision, says Escobar, was Komori's Pressroom 2000 technology, which links the prepress to the press. By implementing CTP technology from the get-go with a Scitex Lotem platesetter, Kodak Approval proofer, and Kodak thermal plates, Millennium Graphics never had to make the switch from conventional technology.

"With run lengths typically 7,000 to 10,000 impressions, we needed a press with the automation to help us get jobs on and off the equipment quickly," says Escobar. "Advanced equipment helps us in employee recruitment, too; people want to work for a printer with new, high-tech presses."

Growth continues for Millennium Graphics: it plans to add a fourth press, an eight- or a six-color, later this year.