Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd has completed the first UK installation of its new AccurioJet 30000 B2 inkjet press at Nottingham‑based print and communications provider Hickling & Squires. The investment marks a major step in the company’s long‑term production print strategy, enabling it to bridge the gap between litho and digital, expand its capacity for high‑quality short‑run work, and deliver greater flexibility and value to customers.
Hickling & Squires has undertaken a significant transformation of its production environment, retiring older litho equipment and restructuring its workflow around a more agile mix of technologies. Production Director, Jamie Gilbert, explained that the move to B2 inkjet had been on the roadmap for some time, but the opportunity to accelerate the investment came as part of the company’s ongoing partnership with Konica Minolta.
The AccurioJet 30000 sits at the heart of a diversified production setup at Hickling & Squires that includes wide‑format inkjet, flatbed and reel‑to‑reel devices, as well as four Konica Minolta digital toner machines. The new press provides a high‑quality B2 platform capable of handling the ‘in‑between’ work that previously sat between litho and digital. Jamie added. “Customers are getting a better‑quality result, and we can now produce on a wider range of substrates, including plastics and fabrics, at a much bigger scale.”
To support the installation, Hickling & Squires constructed a dedicated 9m x 16m climate‑controlled production room, complete with air conditioning and humidity management, which was completed in just five weeks.
According to Mark Bladon, Major Accounts Sales Specialist – Industrial Printing at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd, the installation reflects a wider shift in how forward‑thinking print businesses are rebalancing their production mix.
