Wood Printcraft Powers Up Its Pressroom
Press Release, 18/03/2008


Wood Printcraft, a leading privately owned  Dublin print group and claimant to the title of Ireland’s leading full service provider, is investing in some very heavy metal. 

A KBA Rapida 105 ten-colour sheetfed perfector arrived in the Wood Printcraft pressroom in February and to be commercially operational during March.  KBA negotiated this important order together with their Irish agents The Reprocentre. 

Complete with fully automatic plate change, Densitronic colour management, Technotrans dampening and Baldwin washing systems, this sophisticated top of the range press is the main element in a €3 million investment by the Dublin print group. 

Wood Printcraft, known locally and affectionately as “The Wood”, has, always pumped its investment and energy into everything that enhances its proud record on customer care. “Our consistent focus is on customer service” explains Criona Turley, Sales Director for the Wood. “We have a team dedicated to service excellence and an on-going programme of continuous customer-focused improvements.” Burgeoning work mix is derived from general commercial printing – annual reports, PR and promotional print and stationery- substantial contracts with major financial institutions and a growing folding cartons division.  

The company’s record of investment supports this claim – on-line ordering, digital asset management, bar-coded storage and stock control, electronic call-off with pick and pack distribution.  Then add a management driven ISO 9002 registered quality system and CIP3 extended to both pressroom and finishing department.   Big number spending on Fuji ctp, Xerox digital printing and more recently Shuttleworth MIS – all contributing to what the firm believes is the best service available.

Now the investment spotlight turns to pressroom technology with KBA being selected from the major manufacturers considered.  “We want to be ahead of the competition” says Wood Printcraft Managing Director, David O’Brien. “This is a big leap forward for us and the KBA team presented an excellent business case for their machine.”    

Brian Crawford, Managing Director of The Reprocentre comments: “This order has immense importance for The Reprocentre and KBA. Wood Printcraft is a very well respected and established company who have selected the Rapida based on performance and support. We are proud to have won the decision.” 

Wood Printcraft, as is widely known, will consider a move to a new Greenfield site in the next few years to facilate the further enhancement of its total “service” offering.  The company, established in 1837 and currently led by Executive Chairman Tom Ring, has a turnover in excess of £10 million and employs over 100 people.  Its burgeoning work mix is derived from general commercial printing – annual reports, PR and promotional print and stationery- substantial contracts with major financial institutions and a growing folding cartons division.