Digital production now accounts for more than half the business revenues at Standfast & Barracks, with customers being encouraged be part of the new wave of innovation provided through Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital production technologies.

Less than three years since a devastating flood closed the factory for more than four months, Standfast & Barracks continues to cement its partnership with Durst. It expects 60% of turnover to be from digital production by the start of next year. The technology is also helping to drive export growth that by the end of 2018 will represent 20% of sales, of which half are to the USA, the company reports.

Pushing the barriers

Standfast & Barracks produces more than 150,000 yards of printed fabric per month. And until five years ago, this was all done by conventional printing. Turnover at £15.4 million is now back at the same levels prior to the flooding, with sales success largely down to digital print production advances. The UK fabric printing company has two Durst Alpha 190 systems, which are part of a new generation of super high-performance multi-pass printers with the One-Step Greentex P ink.

“Standfast & Barracks is an exceptional example of how innovative companies are pushing the barriers by continue to invest in new digital technologies. We take great pride by working in partnership with our customers to help them to bigger and better things. And we look forward to continuing to work closely with Stephen and his great team to further help them grow opportunities that are virtually unlimited with digital,” commented Martin Winkler, Segment Manager Durst Textile Printing.

New market opportunities

Standfast & Barracks has now trademarked its innovative direct-to-fabric Greentex pigment printed collection, Ecofast, which is said to be sustainable and have highest lightfastness in its class. Using the system that allows printing on almost any type of surface, Standfast & Barracks plans to formally launch the new Ecofast line at Heimtextil in January 2019. The company expects Durst’s technology to help it open up market opportunities in areas such as contract and apparel, including outdoor and roller-blinds.

A perfect example of the Durst Alpha is the Alpha 190, part of the Alpha Series that features different configurations and print widths for industrial printing of fashion garment and apparel, home textiles and upholstery. Durst developed the One-Step Greentex P ink especially for the Alpha Series. The environmentally friendly pigment and the reactive and dispersion inks are based on Durst Water Technology.

“Our order books are definitely growing, and we are actively encouraging our customers to do more digital printing, pointing out the many benefits. Our investment in Durst’s digital technology continues to trigger new waves of innovation,” said Stephen Thomas, Managing Director of Standfast & Barracks. “Digital gives unlimited opportunities and colour variations with the ability to develop new application and products and continue to develop our business – all with the support of Durst. Digital is by far our biggest growth area. It’s the future.”

www.standfast-barracks.com