Global Translation Company Becomes Industry-Leading Production Printer with FlexTG
Client Overview: A Global Translation and Production Print Leader
The client is a global translation and interpretation company with eight facilities worldwide, specializing in producing technical manuals and marketing materials primarily for Japanese manufacturers serving international markets. Their U.S. headquarters and largest production facility is located in Long Beach, California, where they translate, print, bind, and distribute documentation for global brands—handling everything from newly launched products to discontinued models requested directly by customers.
With accuracy, consistency, and speed as mission-critical requirements, the Long Beach operation runs a high-volume production environment that demands maximum uptime and efficiency.
The Challenge: Scaling Output, Quality, and Flexibility in a High-Demand Environment
By 2021, after evaluating multiple vendors over a 4.5-year period, the client faced critical infrastructure challenges: excessive downtime on legacy black-and-white devices, registration issues impacting quality and rework, slower-than-expected productivity on duplex and larger sheet sizes, and limited flexibility during peak production periods that occur 2–3 months annually. The client required more than hardware—they needed a partner who could design a production strategy aligned with their unique workflow, lean staffing model, and seasonal volume fluctuations.
The Solution: A Strategically Designed Production Print Ecosystem
FlexTG engaged in extensive pre-sale consultations with the client, holding multiple strategy meetings to understand their operations before recommending any equipment. This collaborative approach focused on productivity modeling, workflow efficiency, and long-term scalability.
In January 2022, FlexTG implemented a solution featuring two Canon imagePRESS Titan monochrome systems with twin-engine design for exceptional speed and registration, one Canon color production device with capacity for expansion, and PRISMA print controllers across all devices for reliability and productivity tracking.
The Game-Changing Recommendation: Flexible Speed Licensing for Peak Production
FlexTG’s key differentiator was recommending temporary speed licenses for the Titan systems. Recognizing that the client’s busiest peaks occur only 2–3 months annually, FlexTG proposed a flexible approach: temporarily boost print speeds during high-demand periods, then scale back when volume normalizes. This innovative solution eliminated the need for additional equipment or staff during peak seasons.
The implementation showcased FlexTG’s commitment to partnership through comprehensive operator training on new Titan technology, ongoing support for maintaining paper quality and machine uptime, and problem-solving expertise that helped identify potential production issues before they impacted output.
The Results: Industry-Leading Efficiency at Global Scale
The solution delivered immediate and measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity, and operational flexibility:
- Production volume: 3 million prints with just two operators—an industry-leading achievement
- Efficiency ranking: Rated as the most efficient among all eight global facilities
- Global benchmark: International facilities are now mirroring the Long Beach production model
- Strategic flexibility: Temporary licenses successfully handle 2–3 month peak periods without permanent investment
- Smallest crew size across all locations while maintaining the highest productivity
Ongoing Partnership: Continuous Optimization and Strategic Collaboration
Four years into the relationship, FlexTG continues to provide strategic guidance and support. The success of the Long Beach operation has become a model for the client’s global production environment, with joint recommendations creating a blueprint for efficiency that combines fast, reliable equipment, minimal staffing requirements, flexible capacity management, and continuous optimization.
Why FlexTG: Expertise-Driven Solutions Beyond the Equipment
The client selected FlexTG for its deep technical expertise, consultative approach, and ability to deliver a solution aligned with real-world production demands. By focusing on workflow strategy, long-term scalability, and ongoing support, not just equipment specifications, FlexTG helped transform the Long Beach operation into the most efficient facility within the client’s global network, demonstrating the value of a true production print partnership.