Mimaki battles against the elements
When Gate 7 decided to change its image, the global automotive component manufacturing specialists turned to Mimaki to take its production to new heights.
Thursday, 18 Jan 2018 14:53 GMT
George Heads, operations manager, with managing director Kate Wickham in the Mimaki Digital Suite
Five years later, and the Gateshead-based company has now developed a Mimaki Digital Suite, where it produces liveries for new vehicles that deal with harsh work environments. Its blue-chip clients include JCB, Caterpillar, and Volvo.
Whilst the main hub for Gate 7 is in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, it has a global reach with offices in America in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, which also boasts Mimaki machinery.
At the helm of the rebrand was Kate Wickham, managing director, who was recently awarded an MBE for Services to Exports and Outward Investments. Wickham explains: “We take a unique approach to business. We’ve worked hard to nurture our supply chain through product development, finding new ways of improving manufacturing and constantly innovating.”
During the rebrand, Gate 7 invested in Mimaki equipment from official reseller, Your Print Specialists. The first machine bought was the Mimaki JV33, which has now been added to the Mimaki Digital Suite.
When we look back at this decision, it raises a wry smile on all our faces when we consider the Mimaki Digital Suite now boasts a further five state-of-the-art printers”
Operations manager, George Heads, explains: “When we look back at this decision, it raises a wry smile on all our faces when we consider the Mimaki Digital Suite now boasts a further five state-of-the-art printers. These include the revolutionary Mimaki UJF-7151 plus flatbed LED UV, the high speed, roll fed JV400 SUV, and the flagship JV300 and CJV300 solvent printers.”
Because of the tough elements that the graphics and liveries have to face, the products go through rigorous testing to make sure that they can stand the test of time. Heads continues: “We rigorously test all of the components that go into manufacturing a decal or membrane switch panel.
“We offer our own unique warranty system that ensures all the components meet and exceed an outdoor performance characteristic of not less than five years and all the Mimaki inks are tested using our own in-house UV weather, substance, and environmental testing equipment. Our challenge is to meet and exceed our customers’ specifications.”
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