16 March 2017

KCS expand to assist with better workflow

The Launceston based BPIF member is expanding to accommodate their new required workflow. The need has arisen primarily due to the purchase of more materials so a further bay is being built to allow for this and the need to send work out more frequently.

"It will give us an extra 190sqm to the 1,020sqm building" said Zoe Deadman, KCS's Sales Manager.

As more than 80% of KCS' business is manufacturing integrated label forms for e-commerce retailers, particularly in the fashion sector, KCS wanted to have the extension built and the plant rearranged in good time to handle its usual Christmas rush.

Zoe added "We are fortunate in that we are supplying a growing market, e-commerce sales are growing year-on-year and so the need for our forms is growing at the same rate and there are a relatively small number of companies in the UK that can do what we do - we are one of four or five maximum."

Another factor that has contributed to the company's recent growth was the fitting of inkjet heads to the hotmelt label machines to facilitate the printing of personalised labels and sequential 1D and 2D barcodes which they did in 2015.

"Whereas before we would do normal print and then put the labels into the form, now we can personalise every form with the inkjet printer," Zoe said. "A lot of e-commerce retailers want to offer their customers the option to return items via the Post Office but in order to use the Royal Mail they have to have a 1D and 2D barcode on the form. We are the only people that can manufacture that for them."

Before moving into labels KCS started out as a traditional printer and still produces some continuous business forms and pads on Didde Glaser and Morgan web presses. It also has a Xerox digital department and produces some signage and banners on Mimaki and Epson large-format machines.

It employs 28 staff and is expecting to exceed £3.2m turnover this year, up from £2.9m last year, BPIF Regional Director for SW added, this is great news in their 30th year, Terrye Teverson, the MD also represents the BPIF on the SW Regional Board and the Government and Industry Committee.

For further information on workplace planning, please contact Garry Mellor, the BPIF lead Lean Engineer on 07841 213 785