Ricoh has announced it has been selected as a preferred print partner by IVE Group.

Founded in 1921, IVE Group offers a broad range of creative, data-driven services and a portfolio of print and production capabilities. The company’s 2000 staff serve clients throughout Australia.

“Some of our printing infrastructure was reaching end of life and so it gave us an opportunity to see what alternatives there were in the market,” he says.

Before signing the new agreement with Ricoh, the IVE Group team undertook a detailed, three-step RFP process. The first step involved issuing invitations to tender to seven print vendors before a shortlist was formed.

IVE Group had initially planned to conduct a week-long, high-volume print runs at the three vendor’s facilities. However, COVID-19 restrictions on travel meant this could not proceed.

“As an alternative, we gave the three vendors the opportunity to install their proposed equipment at an IVE production facility for a four-week proof-of-concept test,” says Brent McCulloch, Chief Operations Officer, Data-Driven Communications, IVE Group. 

“The POC was to allow IVE to gain first-hand experience with how the equipment and vendors would perform in a simulated production environment.”

McCulloch says this approach put Ricoh’s Pro C9210 in a direct face-off with flagship digital colour printers from two other vendors. Each system ran the same jobs with the output and performance stats presented to senior management for consideration.

“The third phase involved vendor capability presentations and final commercial submissions at the end of December,” says McCulloch.  

“At that point, we selected Ricoh as our new preferred technology partner.”

They say this process was necessary because of the new equipment’s role within the company’s production facilities.

“Choosing Ricoh was large decision for us at IVE Group, to bring in a new print vendor. The first in many years,” says McCulloch. 

“We made the change because Ricoh was able to clearly show it was the vendor most capable of meeting the production requirements of Australia’s largest commercial printer.”

The new machines have been put to work on several different cut-sheet print runs and have also been used for some offset printing replacements.

“Ricoh has enabled us to increase our print efficiency, which has lowered our cost base,” says McCulloch. 

“From initial installation to production, everything has gone very smoothly. Once each machine had been delivered to site, it was up and running within a week. “The support we have received from Ricoh has been second to none. We look forward to working with them.”

The aspect of having three print engines operating alongside the machines to be replaced provided IVE Group with insight into the production capabilities of the Pro C9210 and the support offered by Ricoh Australia. 

“We look forward to strengthening our relationship with IVE Group. Through improving our collaboration we can share expertise and experiences with each other, finding better ways to serve IVE Group and its customers, and incorporate feedback back into product development and the services we offer,” says McCulloch.