UK-based Springfield Solutions has unveiled Project 21, a major investment programme intended to allow the company to continue along its growth trajectory.
Springfield has reported continuous growth in recent years. Major milestones in recent times have included the creation of a new-look business development team; its PrintWorks expansion, which saw the size of the company’s digital print operation doubled; and more than 187 million labels printed throughout 2020. Project 21 has been put in place in order to take such developments to the next level, and will impact every area of the business.
As such, Springfield is embarking on its most significant investment programme yet, with new space, new equipment and new team members to sustain its growth. This will include doubling the size of the company’s logistics warehouse and raw material stocks. The new units, adjacent to its existing warehouse, make up a total of 4000sqft and increasing available warehouse space to 8000sqft. This additional capacity will be used to service digital print and packaging mock-up customers, who will also benefit from investment in new digital print technology.
In this regard, Springfield Solutions is adding another digital press, with a Screen Truepress Jet L350UV+LM model to be installed. This will take the company’s digital press fleet to five. The press will be complemented by an A B Graphic (ABG) Digicon Series 3, which will be configured inline with the new UV inkjet digital press, as well as an ABG SRI finishing system. A further investment in Screen’s next-generation press technology is in discussion and claimed to be setting up a ‘world first’.
Due to such investments and the resulting increase in output within both its print and brand management departments, Springfield is also increasing its team. This has begun by creating more than a dozen new positions this year, with the potential to expand further. A number of new additions have already been made such as logistics operator Darren Lambert and Lauryn Hall, SEO and copywriting executive. Further roles are currently being advertised across the company’s marketing, print and brand management teams, from customer service representative and IT infrastructure technician, to digital printer and labourer. Springfield is also adapting to new ways of working, with increased use of hot desks, capacity for ‘working from home’, and new casual meeting spaces.
Matt Dass, joint managing director at Springfield Solutions, said, ‘At the end of 2018, we set out our plan on how we intended to grow the business. Following investment in new buildings, equipment and people in 2016 and 2017, we knew the time was right to start telling people about how we create digital packaging assets for the way we live today and the way we will live tomorrow.
‘The business has seen double digit growth in every year since our plans in 2018. Now it’s time to set out our new plan. Project 21 will see the largest investment in people, equipment and buildings that the business has ever made, and I’m thrilled to be part of a team who will deliver the next chapter in the history of Springfield.’
Dennis Ebeltoft, fellow joint managing director, added, ‘For Springfield, Project 21 means an opportunity to manage our immense growth. This growth has occurred over the past year by building our capacity and creating new opportunities for the business. As joint managing director of operations, to me Project 21 means increased opportunities for future innovation and world first achievements.’
The company’s founder, Albert Dass, went on, ‘At Springfield, we are constantly learning new things, and enjoying the challenges. Our aim is to supply our customers with high quality products on time and in full, with a competitive edge for their products.’
Springfield Solutions vice chairman Steve Forster concluded, ‘One of our biggest achievements is Springfield’s reputation, which has grown substantially over the recent years even through the unprecedented Covid period. Project 21 is our platform for the future.’