Museum pieces? Far from it!

We build our machines robustly as a point of principle. Parts subject to wear are designed for at least ten years of two-shift operation. More than 400 swissQprint flatbed printers over a decade old continue in daily use even now, some of them working triple shifts. Not only does the software still get support, spare parts and inks are also available.

The very first Oryx still runs perfectly

Nolina applica of Switzerland, operates two swissQprint flatbed printers. Both are first-generation Oryx models built in 2010 and 2008; the latter is actually the first machine that we delivered back in the day. Gogo Gärtner, proprietor of Nolina applica, bought it second-hand from the original owner in Germany because she urgently needed more production capacity and the Oryx purchased four years previously was providing immaculate output. “We had just refurbished the studio, so there was only a limited budget for a second machine,” she explains. “The investment has paid off umpteen times over.”

The co-managing directors today, Nives Alexandra Pally and Muriel Flühmann, report: “There have been times when we considered buying a new machine but always decided to keep our two printers: we are very satisfied with them and know what they are capable of.”

“People occasionally poke fun at our printers as museum pieces,” says Nives Pally. She takes it in stride. The company has yet to turn down an order because one of them was out of action. “Unlike with other equipment, service visits by swissQprint are plannable while the costs are clear and reasonable,” adds Muriel Flühmann. “We have the printers serviced annually at staggered intervals, so we can produce without a break.” The number of technical incidents over the years could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Hence, “What reason is there to replace something that runs so well?” Gogo Gärtner adds: “I consider the two machines linchpins of our operation.”

A second-hand Impala for a revival

Logo Reklamen of Switzerland, has taken delivery of an eleven-year-old first-generation swissQprint Impala. Röbi Hefti is owner of the small business: “I plan to launch a novel product and really rev things up again.”

He is aiming for one more rally before retirement in a few years. Firstly, he expects orders related to a major national event set to take place just a stone's throw away from his company. Secondly, he is also at work on a new product that he plans to launch at the event. For this, he needs a UV printer. The last one, a hybrid printer from another manufacturer, he eliminated due to constant breakdowns, problems and high maintenance costs.

The offer of a used Impala flatbed printer came at the right moment for him. swissQprint technicians moved the Impala from its previous location to Logo Reklamen’s premises and gave it an overhaul.

The operator, Oliver Hüni, trained as a screen printer but has experience with other flatbed printers. He enthuses: “The Impala is so easy to use and very straightforward.” He is currently making first attempts at varnish finishes. “The swissQprint technicians gave me good instruction and they are always available if I have questions.”