The Big Interview One company… three brands
Charterhouse Holdings holds a unique position in our industry, with a focus not solely on either garments or hardware, but a succinct approach to both. With a history rich in garment manufacture, today the company operates as three distinct, separate brands; Kustom Kit, Xpres and Vanilla. P&P editor Melanie Attlesey was invited to spend the day at the brands’ HQ in Castle Donington to find out why these three brands are at the top of their game.
T
he last 12 months has seen significant changes for all three brands, with new take home messages, new products and new garments all on the agenda. For Xpres, which started life back in the 1980s supplying sublimation solutions and vinyl cutters, the most recent addition to its portfolio of digital transfer solutions is the Austrian brand, Aeoon. The manufacturer’s flagship model, the Kyo Link, was installed in the Production Suite back in May, a development which sees Xpres begin to make inroads in the industrial print space. “The addition of Aeoon to our portfolio is the final piece of the jigsaw,” says George Burrows, systems specialist. “We now have a solution for every customer, right from entry-level up to industrial levels of print. We hope to make Aeoon a mainstay of the UK market. We are very excited by this partnership.”
Easy upgrade options
The Kyo Link direct to garment printer was developed for customers with high output needs, for either large runs of the same design or one offs. Its ease of use and maintenance, along with the capability to print upwards of 180+ shirts an hour, makes it an easy upgrade option for decorators currently running multiple smaller direct to garment printers. Although Xpres only has the Kyo Link on display, customers will be able to purchase from the entire Aeoon catalogue, including the recently released Maikuro direct to garment printer.
To provide visitors with options, also on display in the Production Suite is the Epson SureColor SC-F3000 and Epson SureColor SC-F2100. These DTG printers are geared more towards the mid- and entry-level market with price points to match. A recent upgrade to the SC-F2100 now means that decorators can print directly onto DTF film, which enhances the appeal of this reliable printer. These transfers now mean that
| 42 | September 2022
George Burrows, systems specialist, pictured with Aeoon’s Kyo Link in the Production Suite
says George. “Epson is unique at its price point, there is nothing else out there on the market like it.”
And speaking of direct to film printing, in the not-too-distant future Xpres plans to introduce its very own roll-fed DTF solution. “Direct to film printing is still in its infancy. It takes time to perfect the process and the solutions,” explains Ryan Hornbuckle, marketing director. “We wanted to make sure we had the perfect solution before we introduced it.” So, keep your eyes peeled for this one.
A widened scope
Clare Dwyer, product manager, pictured with the best-selling Klassic Polo
decorators can target different markets with promotional products and polyester garments such as hi-vis and sportswear. “The F2100 is a really good machine,”
With the addition of Aeoon to Xpres’ portfolio, the supplier has now widened its scope, and can now not only provide options for start-up businesses and one-man bands, but can also continue to serve long-standing customers as their businesses grow. “We can now supply the right solution for a customer’s business model,” says George. “We talk to our customers, show them what each printer can do for their business and work with them to find a solution that’s right. It’s more of a consultancy sales approach that we provide, rather than a hard sell.”
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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