Rajams to install Heidelberg SX74 in Asia’s first subscription deal

“We were on the lookout to replace our 1991-model Komori press. RMGT, Lithrone and of course several Heidelberg presses were being considered. During the process, Heidelberg proposed this ingenious subscription model and I thought this would be the step in the right direction for our company and the industry at large,” said GN Visvakumar, managing director of Rajams Digital.

 

Established in 2008, Rajams is one of the few shops which has both offset and digital capabilities and is equipped with a Heidelberg SX 52 Anicolor press which they procured in 2016, HP Indigo 1050, a Komori Lithrone along with a Xerox 4112 press.

 

“The entire process from initiation to finalisation took a solid six months. We shared a lot of data about the types of jobs we do, our run lengths etc for Heidelberg to recommend the press that would suit our needs. Besides, we already had our eyes on the SX 74,” said Visvakumar.

 

“This deal significantly means we only provide the place, power and manpower whereas Heidelberg will take care of everything with respect to the press. Starting from lubricants, plates, chemicals, and inks, will be under their purview,” he added.

 

The subscription deal is said to be for five years which will include a fixed monthly charge for usage with a set number of impressions part of the offering.

 

The Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 74 combines the technology of the Speedmaster XL class with the tried-and-tested SM platform. According to Heidelberg, the machine is designed for ergonomic operations, the press is capable of producing shorter makeready and throughput times, with production speeds of up to 15,000 sheets per hour.

 

“Apart from the obvious reasons of a better turnaround, higher volume of production and almost negligible wastage which comes with a top quality press from Heidelberg, the subscription model takes out the entire headache of maintenance,” said Visvakumar.

 

The unit also houses complete post-press armoury including laminators, perfect binders and have recently added a Polar cutter from Heidelberg. A Suprasetter CTP system completes the infrastructure at the company.

 

“We would soon be a Heidelberg demo centre,” said Visvakumar with a chuckle. “CTP, presses and cutting machine – all that Heidelberg offers is under one roof at our facility.”

 

Explaining further about the rationale of the deal he said, “In a buyout model we will, in any case, end up paying a certain amount as interest and remember the deal is for five years wherein most machines start having slight performance issues by the third year mark. The five-year deal will give us a good two more years of an efficient run of the machine without any maintenance overheads.” 

 

“We will look to do around ten-lakh impressions per month on the new press,” concluded Visvakumar.

 

“This deal significantly means we  only provide the place, power and manpower whereas Heidelberg will take care of everything with respect to the press. Starting from lubricants, plates, chemicals, and inks, will be under their purview.” 

GN Visvakumar, managing director of Rajams Digital