The GAPP
The Gapp Flipping Book: Volume 8 Issue 6
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That the printing industry is capital intensive is no surprise. Even the cheapest equipment carries a high purchase price but cost is measured in much more than the initial outlay.
Service, support and spares are all an integral part of the cost of ownership. While this is important with new equipment it is even more so with second-hand.
The current economic climate in the South African marketplace has resulted in a significant shift from new to second-hand. However, South African printers do not, and cannot, compromise on quality and as such they face the problem of running the gauntlet of dealing with less than reputable suppliers when sourcing second-hand equipment.
There is one company which is rapidly gaining a reputation for second-hand equipment of the highest quality and with a service offering which is second-to-none. Widasla is a relative new-comer to the second-hand printing market – when compared to some of the companies which have been around for many decades.
Widasla was founded in 2004 by Dou Fourie with one engineer David Sedane – who is now a partner in the company. While Widasla may be a ‘young’ company it is this new approach to second-hand equipment supply which sets the company apart. Dou completed his apprenticeship as a printer’s engineer at a reputable second-hand supplier in Cape Town and after five years decided to move out on his own.
He commented, ‘For the first eight years David and I ran mainly as an engineering company as there was not much demand for second-hand equipment. We gradually gained a solid client base of regular customers. In 2012 I went to Drupa where I met up with BBR Graphics, one of the largest second-hand suppliers in the United Kingdom which sources and supplies second-hand equipment around the world. The Sales Director - John Worsley - and I reached an agreement where Widasla would be the exclusive agent for BBR in South Africa.’
Initially the agreement resulted in Widasla buying machines from companies in the local market and supplying them to BBR graphics for resale in markets such as China and India.
Dou stated, ‘The local market was not really in a position to buy any equipment at that time and a number of companies were either closing down or selling off their oldest equipment. What that did was it gave us the experience in stripping and packing the machines for shipping. It taught us the best way to do things to ensure that they arrive safely at their destination.’
Throughout the period, Widasla has dismantled and packed 65 presses in total for export to markets around the world. Then, around two year ago the demand started to shift towards a need for second-hand presses to be brought into the country. The difference was that local customers were looking for newer model machines with the latest capabilities and featuring the latest technology. Machines of this type are only available from the markets of Europe and the United Kingdom.
Dou added, ‘With the experience that we had gained in packing machines for export, we decided to take responsibility for the dismantling and packing of the machines which we were bringing into South Africa. What this did was it gave my team, which had grown to include two assistants - Victor Ndzmeni and Kabelo Tshothedi, the ability to travel around the world working on different machines.’
Widasla established itself as a second-hand sheetfed press specialist but with time it has expanded into other sectors of the printing industry and it is now able to source and supply all types of equipment including web presses and finishing solutions – making use of experienced and reputable sub-contractors where necessary.
Dou stated, ‘We only work with companies and engineers that we know and prove that we can trust. However, when the client deals with us it our reputation on the line and the client only liaises with us. We take full and complete responsibility for the project from beginning to end, including full follow up after the machine has been commissioned.’
Widasla, through its association with BBR Graphics is now able to source the very latest technology for local customers according to their specifications and configuration requirements. Such is the reputation that Widasla has gained for dismantling and packing machines that BBR now uses it for all of its projects around the world.
Dou said, ‘My team has handled projects for BBR in Russia, France, America, Dubai and Kenya among others. As a result they have gained new knowledge and experience putting them on a world class level.’
With this reputation has come a slew of new customers who have heard about the quality and service provided by Dou and the team at Widasla. Among these was Jerome Morkel at Tandym Print in Cape Town. A quality printer Tandym needed a second Heidelberg XL 106 press to complement its existing press. However, the poor economic climate in the country meant that new was not an option this time. Jerome was adamant that the press had to be a new model with reasonable impression count. BBR Graphics found the exact configuration at a company in France which was looking to sell its five-colour with coater and extended delivery in order to be able to install a new machine.
Together John and Dou arranged for Jerome to visit the printer to view the machine and see it in operation. When the agreement was reached, Dou and his team proceeded to dismantle and pack the press for shipping to Cape Town.
Jerome stated,,‘We had noted a race to the bottom in terms of printing magazines as there are fewer publishers producing magazines, which had been the start of our business. In addition, our eight-colour press was getting a bit long in the tooth and we needed to find a more efficient and cost-effective way of doing what needed to be done. We needed something more versatile. There is a general trend around the world of a shift from long perfectors to the high-performance five- and six-colour presses such as the XL 106. The ease-of-operation and the Inpress control makes life a lot easier.
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‘So, when we were looking for the additional machine we had no hesitation. We had bought the first XL 106 five-colour in South Africa brand new two years ago. This made it an easy decision to buy the second one. The only reason we did not go new again was purely a cost concern. It is near impossible for a private, family-owned company to be spending the kind of money needed to buy a new press at the current rate of exchange.’
There is obviously a difference when buying second-hand compared to buying new but Dou and John made every effort to ensure that Jerome was comfortable.
Jerome stated, ‘I sent files from here over to France and we put the press through its paces with some serious tests and it passed with flying colours. It was our first installation using Widasla and BBR and I was apprehensive because we traditionally always bought new equipment but it was so easy. We received proper and regular updates of the status. We received photos and videos at every stage of the process. The volume of information flow was really comforting. It gave us a lot of confidence.’
The machine was ordered in mid-February 2018 and was installed at the Tandym premises in May following an extensive on-site cleaning and painting process. The machine was then commissioned.
Dou commented, ‘When we commissioned the press there were a few problems resulting in a slight delay in getting the press fully operational but we replaced the necessary parts and then got the machine up-and-running. We then had a demonstrator from DK Print Masters in the UK who came and set up the machine and handled the training on the press.’
Jerome stated, ‘I would do this again in a heartbeat. I would have no hesitation in going down this road again with Dou. It was handled as smoothly as if it had been done by the manufacturer, there really was no difference. The demonstrator was a wealth of information, our minders learned so much from him that has made a real difference in their ability to do their jobs.’
An important aspect of this particular installation and press was the fact that the press had a full service history with Heidelberg. The service report was provided to Jerome.
He concluded, ‘I felt entirely comfortable with the entire process and the ability to tie the new press into our existing workflow was a major advantage. It has been an entirely positive experience and certainly something we would consider again in the future.’
Cape Town has proven to be a very positive market for Widasla. ABC Press has installed an eight-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 with coater which was sourced from Widasla.
Massood Abbas, General Manager of ABC Press said,, ‘We realised that there was a need for us to have an eight-colour press with an online coating unit due to the volume of matt paper work that we do. We looked at a lot of presses but the one thing that made this stand out was the fact that we had the option to run it as either an eight-colour machine or a four- or five-colour with coater. On our long runs we can run it as a perfector but then on the short runs we can use it with coating and that gives us the flexibility that we needed.
When the machine arrived it was spotless, it was an overhauled machine and it was cleaned and running perfectly with new rollers and bearings. The process overall was fantastic, Dou and his team were amazing. Previously all our presses had been installed by the agent and dealing with Dou was no different. He is a phenomenal engineer himself and those guys know what they are doing.’
Massood was so impressed and satisfied with the levels of service he received from Widasla that he happily stated that he would definitely use the company again when the need arises.
Moving to the other side of the country, Widasla undertook a major project in Pretoria setting up an entire factory including prepress, litho printing, diecutting and finishing equipment. Ndabase Printing Solutions was looking to expand its printing capacity to handle a growing number of educational textbook contracts. Widasla, with the assistance of BBR Graphics and various sector-specific engineers installed all the equipment at Ndabase.
Dou commented, ‘I met Thanda Ndiye from Ndabase through a mutual friend and he explained his requirements to me. We then sourced the equipment and determined a layout of the factory. We started with an empty factory and planned the workflow.’
The equipment installed included a Screen PlateRite CTP unit, a five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 102, a Muller Martini saddle stitcher, two MBO folders, a two-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 perfector, an MK1050 diecutter, and a Wohlenberg guillotine. Also supplied was a standard spares basket to ensure that Ndabase was kept up-and-running and, a full service contract ensuring that regular maintenance was done to maximise productivity.
Thanda commented, ‘What I like about Widasla is that they become part of your business. Dou sits with you and finds out what it is that you need. He makes sure that the machine is ready to run and then it is installed properly and is fully operational. He then provides you with the right advice as to how the machine should be maintained. He has also provided the machine minders with the necessary training to do their own preventative maintenance. It has been so efficient that I honestly don’t remember ever having had a breakdown.’
Dou, David and the team at Widasla run a very tight ship designed to ensure that customers get what they are looking for and that they receive the levels of service which they deserve. When outsourcing to other specialist suppliers, Widasla takes the responsibility for the entire project. These services include everything from rigging and crating to installation and training. In the case of electrical work Dou only uses one supplier, Shaun Matthews at Electrobillity. This is because they have a longstanding relationship proven time and again.
The latest project on-the-go is the installation at ZeroPlus in Pretoria of a Heidelberg CD 745LX. Clearly there is no rest to be had at this time.
Widasla is in the process of expanding its service offering in order to be able to offer clients a more comprehensive service. One such service is the provision of insurance on all equipment which the company installs for the first year post installation. Under the terms of the insurance provided, the machine is insured against breakdown with all parts included for the first year and can be extended if required.
Dou commented, ‘This is just another way we can show our clients how important their productivity is to us. We take our clients’ businesses very seriously and this product will make sure that our new clients have complete peace-of-mind on all installations where they opt for the insurance cover.’
Another service being offered by Widasla is that of electroplating to repair chrome cylinders which have been damaged. Until now electroplating was an expensive service which, if done correctly and effectively, required that the roller be removed from the press and sent for repair. Widasla has exclusive access to a banding technique for electroplating the rollers while in the press. Using imported chemicals the result is so precise that even the colour of the replacement chrome matches that of the original to the point where the repair cannot be distinguished from the rest of the roller.
Dou stated, ‘We did a repair of a roller at The Watch Tower Society which had been repaired three times previously without success. After we were done you could not see where the repair had been done.’
Widasla is now synonymous with quality second-hand. So, if second-hand is your only option and you need someone to find you the best solution, give you the best service and treat the entire process as you would do it yourself, including taking care of the permits, clearances and making the machine as good as new, your choice must be Widasla and BBR Graphics. Give Dou or Jessica a call and put Widasla to the test. You will definitely be glad you did.
If you don’t get hold of Dou, it could just be that he is jet-setting around the world to source another machine for another client. At the time of going to print, he was in Italy dismantling and crating a huge Heidelberg XL 1058LYYL X3 plus Foilstar for installation in America - which he will be handling in February.
Explore our world of innovation.
For the past two decades, Widasla Technologies has been demonstrating the value of opting for refurbished pre-owned printing equipment, so much so that it is recognised around the world as the go-to for second-hand printing and packaging machinery.
For the first eight years, the enterprise operated predominantly as an engineering company, due to there being little demand for second-hand equipment at the time.
Today, Widasla boasts a deliberate ethos that revolves around the value of processes and training.
Investing in equipment in the printing industry has become a necessity rather than a luxury but in a fragile world economy buying new is not an option for many.
The current economic climate in the South African marketplace has resulted in a significant shift from new to second-hand…
This year, 2024 has been a landmark year for Widasla Technologies, at drupa.
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We are exclusive suppliers of pre-owned printing equipment in South Africa for BBR Graphics, catering to global markets such as China and India.
02
Established branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, showcasing steady growth and expansion.
03
We have developed a strong international presence with exports to countries like the USA, China, France, Italy, Dubai, Israel, and South America.
04
We are recognized for exceptional workmanship and service quality, earning a reputation as a trusted provider in the global printing industry.
The team of Big Thinkers
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See our ideas come to life.
At Widasla, we excel in maintaining and optimizing printing presses to factory standards, offering everything from routine repairs to complete overhauls. Our expert team designs efficient layouts for factory relocations, enhancing workflow and productivity. Plus, we provide comprehensive operator training to keep your operations competitive and profitable.
Brands We Work With
Widasla elevates printing standards by providing top-quality equipment and expert services. We upgrade print plants to meet the latest specifications, ensuring superior print quality.
Whether installing top-of-the-line pre-owned machinery or refurbishing existing equipment with high-quality spare parts, our meticulous approach guarantees factory-standard excellence.
