Page 46 - Print21 Nov-Dec 2019

Installations
Queensland commercial printer Kuhn Corp has invested in a pair of new machines from Ricoh – a sheetfed press to bolster its existing commercial business, and a direct-to-garment machine as well, which is opening up an entirely new market.
Kuhn Corp
steps up and branches out
Owned by Walter Kuhn, who is also president of the PVCA, Kuhn Corp was established in 1993, and services everything
from small business to federal government, in both small and large runs. According to Kuhn, however, the company’s digital equipment needed changing to meet current expectations.
“We felt we needed to upgrade the equipment, so we could work with the best quality available”, he tells Print21.
In a deal signed at PrintEx in August, Kuhn Corp bought a new Ricoh Pro C7200 series press
in a bid to expand its short-run capabilities and match offset quality on a digital machine.
“We believed Ricoh was a better fit, and a closer look to offset. Through the negotiation process, we also thought that Ricoh offered better support,” says Kuhn.
The CMYK C7200 press features 360gsm duplexing, and – according to Kuhn – has already exceeded
his expectations.
Above
“We’re happy with the press and the service to date – the installation went without a hitch. The changeover from the old machine to the new one was done efficiently. It was a great purchase.
“The press has increased the quality and efficiency of the work we’re able to produce. It is closer to having an offset result from a digital press – we have had a number of customers already ring up and say they are happy with the end result, and they asked whether the job was actually done on a digital or an offset machine,” he says.
Alongside the C7200, Kuhn Corp has branched out into garment printing with a new Ricoh Ri3000 direct-to-garment (DTG) printer.
“That has opened up a whole new area for us where previously
we have bought from them, and we would definitely go back assuming everything stays the way it is.
“Support is exceptional – they have technicians up here in Brisbane who are basically a phone call away, they have gone over and above with things we didn’t even ask for but they knew we would need.
“They have set up profiles in machine, through consultation
they figured out what they needed and were able to implement those profiles, which have saved us a lot of time,” he says.
Roberta Van Trier, senior account manager at Ricoh in Brisbane, agrees that the two companies have developed a “fantastic” relationship with the installation of the new machines.
“Implementation went well, we have had staff go up to do training. The relationship is strong – Kuhn Corp is easy and enjoyable to deal with as a customer. The people know their business, they are looking to expand, and Ricoh was offering something a bit different in the marketplace,” she says.
Van Trier adds that the Ri3000 was seen for the first time in Australia at the PrintEx show.
“While I have been calling on Kuhn Corp for some time, PrintEx really opened its eyes to the possibilities and opportunities DTG had to offer. The company was already producing work on the Ri3000 within a few days of having it installed.
“They’re doing well with the C7200, too – the feedback has been positive. The staff are comfortable using it, and business has been great,” she says.
With a budding relationship like this, it’s not hard to see why. 21
Budding partnership: Walter Kuhn (centre) with Michael Leins and Roberta Van Trier,
of Ricoh, at PrintEx
Below
Producing: Charlotte Fountain shows off the new Ricoh Ri3000 DTG printer at Kuhn Corp
“We’ve had a number of customers already ring up and say they’re happy with the end result, and they asked whether the job was actually done on a digital or an offset machine.” – Walter Kuhn
we would have had to outsource. It’s only early days – the first week it was in, we had orders flowing in. We are doing experimental stuff at the moment on different substrates, in addition to the regular work. The demand has been steady,” he says.
According to Kuhn, Ricoh has been a great supply partner for his business, going above and beyond on customer service and support.
“I would put it in the realms of one of the better suppliers to deal with, as far as customer service and ensuring that things happen seamlessly. This is the first time
46 Print21 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019