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Welsh speciality printer, CPS, has bought a new factory and a plethora of equipment as part of a multi-million-pound investment programme
Welsh speciality printer, Custom Print Solutions (CPS), has purchased a new factory and upgraded a range of equipment across its various sites as part of a multi-million-pound investment programme.
CPS, which was first founded in 1992, has expanded its core offering of brochures, labels, and point of sale (POS) in recent years to include a range of upholstery, fabric, acrylic, rubber, and other specialist offerings.
Speaking exclusively to Print Monthly, CPS director Simon Green explains the company’s approach: “We aim to be specialised, because that is where the profit is.
“You need to spend a lot of time doing the research, but it’s worth it. For example, we are now the only printer in Wales that prints the way we do on fabric labels, and we've been recognised within Wales for that. It's one of the reasons why we get the grants and the support.”
Speaking about the impact of this research and specialisation, Green continues: “We're using the same kit everybody else does, but some don't see what the kit is capable of – they can be too blinkered. And that's why CPS is consistently profitable.”
As part of a five-year growth strategy, the Caerphilly-based printer has recently purchased another factory, its fourth in the Welsh town. It has also added a plethora of new equipment to its facilities, including new flexo, litho, and flatbed machinery.
New solutions purchased by CPS in recent years include a HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL 75, a B2 press boasting a speed of up to 16,500sph.
The company also recently purchased a Sinocolor FB-2513s flatbed printer from press distributor, China Print Supplies. The 8 x 4 ft flatbed offers eight printheads as standard, with six heads for colour and two for white. The press can be upgraded to up to 11 colours, with a 2400dpi resolution, a 75 m2/h printing speed, and variable dot printing capabilities.
Green comments on the purchase: “It’s the first time we bought a machine from China Print Supplies, though I know [managing director] Scott Clutton well. Scott went through all the details with the boys.
“My guys were excited that it was an eight head flatbed printer. We do a lot of research before we make any purchase, and they did some trials with us on some specialist materials, which the machine passed.”
Speaking of the purchase by CPS, Scott Clutton, managing director at China Print Supplies, says: “I’ve known CPS for many years, so they trust in my knowledge and experience.
“When they saw the FB-2513, they saw confirmation that the claims we made about the small dot and high resolution were true. They were hugely impressed with the print quality, and the eight heads means the printer is very fast at high quality. They were also confident in our ability to support them with service, maintenance, and ink supply.”
According to CPS director, Simon Green, the company now boasts a £4m turnover, with a wide range of clients including a number of international retailers and brands.
Green mentions that the company has grown without the need for sizeable loans, growing its in-house offerings purely through reinvestment. “It’s all about control,” he says. “We've invested well over £1m since 2022 into the business from cash reserves.
“Its cash only, no loans. We own the buildings we purchase, including the fourth building we just bought. I'm not restricted under my banks, and I feel CPS is very unique in that way because we’re not taking money out of the business, it is constant reinvestment.”
Speaking to Print Monthly about the future of the business, Green hints towards a range of expansion plans coming in due course but also stresses the desire for his company to bring younger people into the industry.
“We work with the Welsh government and local authorities, because through them we can bring youth into our company.
“The print industry is having an issue in that there’s no young blood, but we've actually got six people, I believe, under the age of 21 working within the business. The kids actually understand the technology better, so we want to bring them in and show them that it's not just dirty, messy work, and it can be exciting for them.”
