Gavin Blakemore · UK Sales Manager · Morgana Systems · The Print Show 2025
Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show in Birmingham, where he speaks with Gavin Blackmore from Morgana. Gavin shares that the first day of the show has been busy and positive, with a steady flow of visitors keeping the team engaged. Morgana has chosen to stand out with a modern and lively presence, moving away from the traditional grey suits image often associated with the industry.
On the stand, Morgana is showcasing new technology, including the UK debut of the Digifold Ultra, which was first previewed at drupa. This next-generation machine can handle sheets up to three meters long, performing slitting, cutting, creasing, and folding in a single pass—eliminating the need for additional guillotine upgrades when handling long-sheet jobs. Morgana is also introducing its next generation of UV flood coating technology, which now uses LED lamps instead of quartz. The LED system delivers lower energy consumption, reduced heat, longer lamp life, and greater environmental benefits.
Gavin highlights how Morgana, as part of the Plockmatic Group, has expanded its reach and product offering by integrating with companies like Renz, Watkiss, Intec, Argos, and KGS. The combined portfolio now covers an even broader spectrum of finishing solutions. He explains that R&D is a central driver of the group, with developments aligned closely to the needs of print engine manufacturers like Ricoh, Xerox, Canon, Fuji, and Kyocera. This ensures Morgana stays ahead with both inline and offline finishing solutions.
Despite wider market challenges, Morgana is having a strong year in the UK, with August being their best month so far and overall performance well ahead of both budget and last year. Gavin credits the breadth of their product range, which allows them to serve everything from small print shops to large production houses looking for advanced finishing technologies.
Reflecting on leadership changes, Gavin acknowledges the departure of long-time industry figure Ray, who was his boss for over 30 years. While it’s a significant change, he emphasizes that Morgana’s experienced team is well prepared to carry the business forward under new leadership.
A conversation highlighting innovation, growth, and resilience in the finishing sector, recorded live at The Print Show in Birmingham.
Thu September 25th
David Bunker · Director · Compass Business ...
Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where he catches up with David Bunker from Compass Business Finance. David has been a familiar face at trade shows for many years, and he shares his thoughts on the lively first day of the show. He explains that Compass is celebrating 20 years in business, having grown from small beginnings into a company that both lends its own money and works with around 25 different lenders to provide flexible financing options for print companies, PSPs, and converters. David highlights that, unlike going directly to a single bank, Compass can match each customer’s needs with the right lender, offering multiple options and solutions tailored to different types of investments. He stresses that it’s not only about securing the best rate but about finding the best commercial option that aligns with a customer’s long-term plans. When discussing how printers typically engage with Compass, David explains that smaller equipment purchases often come through supplier referrals or straightforward finance requests. At the same time, larger, million-pound-plus investments usually involve earlier discussions and long-term planning. Trade shows like The Print Show provide an ideal setting for those conversations to begin. He also discusses how asset depreciation impacts financing options, noting that traditional presses, such as a ten-colour Heidelberg B1, have different financial considerations compared to high-depreciation inkjet devices. To address this, Compass collaborates with initiatives such as the UK Growth Guarantee Scheme, a continuation of government-backed schemes designed to support lending, thereby giving businesses more confidence in financing equipment even during uncertain times. David emphasizes that while the print industry has faced challenges from COVID, rising costs, and market uncertainty, there is still strong momentum for investment and growth. Compass is focused on helping businesses access the right financial products to make those investments possible. A clear and practical conversation about financing in the print industry, recorded live at The Print Show in Birmingham.