When the going gets tough
How Flexpress responded to post-pandemic uncertainty by specialising, automating, investing and increasing production capacity.
After the devastation and uncertainty caused by COVID-19, Flexpress faced the same dilemma as many businesses: how could we not only survive, but thrive in the post-pandemic future?
Choosing to Scale Up
Every set of circumstances is different.
For Flexpress, scaling down was not an option. Before the pandemic, the company was midway through a phase of strategic growth and was highly geared as a result. Funds were also needed to cover CBILS repayments.
The business therefore needed to scale up rather than down—and to become more profitable than ever before.
The surge in companies needing to outsource after reducing their own production capacity created an opportunity within the competitive trade-print market.
Rationalising the Product Range
The first step was to simplify the range.
Flexpress reduced products that:
- Could not be made more automated
- Offered particularly poor added value
- Were excessively time-consuming to pack
- Were especially likely to suffer delivery damage
Investing in Efficient Production
The next step was to manufacture the remaining products as efficiently as possible.
This required investment in:
- Machinery
- Personnel
- Training
- Workflow optimisation
While diversification became a popular industry strategy, Flexpress took the opposite approach: moving away from being a jack of all trades and towards specialisation and expertise.
Completing the Investment Programme
The final stages included installing a fully automated Ryobi 924 LED UV lithographic press and carrying out a major factory-layout upgrade.
This followed the installation of the B2 HP Indigo 100K digital press in January.
The work created continuous disruption and, at times, occasional production backlogs.
Strong Growth Despite the Disruption
Demand for Flexpress services increased by 60% during the first seven months, compared with the same period in the previous year.
The most difficult phase is now over, and the early benefits of the changes are positive.
Despite the disruption, 2022 became Flexpress's most successful year to that point, with additional capacity available for further growth.
Flexpress continues to focus on industry-leading quality, service and value across its range.
For print-project enquiries, call 0116 267 6269.