The Mipp, which has been in existence since 1913, has always been able to adapt to changes in the printing market. Originally, the Manufacture industrielle de papiers photographiques, located in Bègles in the Gironde region of France, produced document reproduction by chemistry. It gradually transformed itself to reach the 21st century.
"My grandfather, who took over the company in 1960, sold reproductions of plans and documents, but also drawing tables and pens", says Fabrice Hénin, manager of the company with 15 employees.
"Later, in addition to reprography, my father marketed professional drawing software and plotters. Today the company specialises in digital printing: we still do plans and reprography, but also small format, posters and signage. Each generation reinvents itself! What we have in common throughout these years is our clientele from the building trade, design offices and construction. This is our core business."
To take care of this market, which still represents almost half of the printing company's turnover, Fabrice Hénin called upon the consulting and marketing company for printing solutions: CLUB groupe. His plotter, which was coming to the end of its contract, was replaced by a HP PageWide XL 5100 and an HP F70 folder.
Digital printing goes into high gear
"CLUB groupe succeeded in offering me a machine adapted to my volumes, and at a cost similar to the previous one", compliments the printer. "When it comes to maintenance, which is a point not to be neglected in the plans market, the company already had my full confidence: I have been testing the expertise and responsiveness of their technician for two years now with the first machine installed by the Bordeaux team, an HP Latex 560."
He goes on to say: "The PageWide XL is five times faster than our old tracker. And it's got a lot of plan-folding features we used to have to do manually."
While this equipment was specifically designed for the production of plans, it has proven to be just as effective for other uses. "With this plan printer, I can now produce series of posters, thanks to its speed and printing cost, which are very interesting. By specialising in digital printing, we have chosen the versatility and speed that this new machine offers."
Always invest and adapt, depending on the printer
The company manager is now considering investing in a laser cutting table, again with CLUB Groupe, to produce signage.
"We're always looking to invest and position ourselves in segments that are not competitive with the online printing giants, i.e., print that requires customization with file reviews."
"In any case, the companies that survive are not necessarily the strongest, but they are the ones that best adapt to change, according to Darwin's principle." says the printer at the head of a company that is more than a hundred years old.
