Direct Edge Boosts Bottom Line and Throughput by Switching to Heidelberg Digital

Chase Elliot, small-format manager at Direct Edge, with Versafire EP.

Focused on competitive pricing, superior print quality, and high speeds, Direct Edge is joining the ranks of printers nationwide who are switching from their current digital press providers and selecting Versafire from Heidelberg. Direct Edge started in 2001 and quickly grew from a large-format photo enlargement service to a comprehensive print communications company with four facilities located in California and Colorado. With its eyes set on continued growth throughout the country, Direct Edge required a more robust digital printing solution that would enable it to deliver visually inspired and progressive products for its customers. This included a need to output large volumes with best-in-class uptime, which led Direct Edge to purchase a Versafire EP from Heidelberg for its Anaheim, Calif., location – replacing a digital press from a competitive manufacturer.

Superior Uptime, A Healthier Bottom Line 

Direct Edge aims to be a one-stop shop for its customers – providing everything from mailers and brochures to intricate POP displays, large billboards and stadium wraps for its diverse portfolio of clients in the retail, restaurant, food and beverage, event and large venue markets. To provide such a wide gamut of products, Direct Edges prides itself on staying on the leading-edge of technology – focusing on quality, affordability, and superior service for its customers.

Facing growing demands on the digital print area of its business coupled with increasing downtime with its previous press, Direct Edge needed a more reliable solution that would considerably improve its efficiency. Direct Edge installed the Versafire EP, with speeds up to 135 letter pages per minute and industry-leading uptime, significantly increasing its overall throughput. According to Co-Founder and CEO, Ryan Brueckner, “Outside of the increases in efficiency and speed, the Versafire also offered both a very competitive acquisition cost and click fees. More uptime means more productivity – all of which equates to a healthier bottom line for us.”

Also contributing to Direct Edge’s increased digital revenue and throughput is the Versafire’s larger sheet size of up to 13x27.5” and expanded substrate range. “With our previous digital press, we were capable of only printing a very limited number of synthetics and thicknesses, which at times became a challenge. We are now better able to support our clients’ needs with the Versafire,” said Small Format Manager, Chase Elliott. In addition to enhanced substrate offerings for its customers, Direct Edge also cites the Versafire’s superior color consistency for a major competitive advantage it has over other similar machines in the market.

Industry Leaders: Committed to Quality & Reliability 

Boasting only one other Heidelberg installation between all of its locations, an older Speedmaster press, Direct Edge is among the many “non-traditional” customers choosing Heidelberg digital. According to Elliott, “As industry leaders who are committed to quality and reliability, Direct Edge was interested in partnering with a company that shares the same values.”

While the machine itself has proven to be a successful decision for Direct Edge, the entire “Heidelberg experience” has exceeded the company’s expectations. From a straight-forward product demonstration to concise training and installation, “Heidelberg made the entire sales process very smooth and easy. They really worked with us to achieve the pricing and click fee we were trying to achieve,” said Elliott. Post installation, Heidelberg’s technical support team has continued to be fast in their responses, which has aided in eliminating any significant downtime at Direct Edge. Now 18 months after its initial installation, Direct Edge is looking to replace another digital press with a new Versafire at its Denver office.

Source: Heidelberg