Durst Technology Brings Growth Opportunities for Britten Inc.

With a 40-year history of serving its customers’ needs, Britten Inc., located in Traverse City, Michigan, has undergone a profound, digitally driven transformation supplemented by its strong partnership with Durst, through the use of Durst’s industrial-grade inkjet and software solutions.

Though Britten Inc. is in Michigan, CEO Ryan Kennedy says the company serves major markets nationwide, with a focus on serving the event market, including sporting events, as well as retail display. The company’s production floor includes extensive printing capacities coupled with fabrication for displays and other features.

A Growing Technology Roster

Britten’s ongoing partnership with Durst began in 2019 when the company, seeking to increase both print quality and throughput, invested in its first Durst unit, a RhoTex 325 dye-sublimation printer. “We noticed the quality difference right away, and we didn’t experience downtime issues,” Kennedy says. “Everything we thought we would get … it exceeded our expectations.”

Ryan Kennedy, CEO, Britten Inc.

In 2020, Britten added a Durst 512, a 5-meter roll-to-roll machine, which Kennedy says has been excellent for the company’s vinyl printing needs.

Seeking additional production capacity for dye-sublimation, Britten, also in 2020, invested in a second Durst RhoTex 325 printer. This move enabled the company to expand its ability to meet the growing demand for dye-sublimated graphics that, in recent years, has swept the event and display markets.

In 2024, in a strategic move, Britten added a Durst P500 5-meter press to handle the printing of mesh materials, which Kennedy says are primarily used for building wraps, as well as other applications, including fence coverings.

In that same year, the company also added a Durst P350 HSD4 hybrid machine, which is used for flatbed production, and to take the place of a quantity of work that was previously screen printed. About the hybrid machine, Kennedy shares, “It added screen-level color and the ability for us to do short runs.”

Recently, Britten’s connection to Durst has expanded beyond equipment to include its portfolio of software solutions. Kennedy says the company is currently onboarding Durst’s workflow software as well as Durst LIFT for its ERP, which he expects to have fully operational this summer. Expectations are high for these systems, particularly in opportunities to expand internal production analyses and improve production scheduling. “I’m most excited,” he says, “about having an enhanced client experience.” This will include greater transparency and connection, and portals for repeatable clients.

Why Britten Inc. Chose Durst

Britten selected Durst for its first of what would become multiple equipment investments because Kennedy was very impressed with the company from the start. “They were very transparent about capabilities, cost structures, and gave us numerous customers to reach out to. What they told us was reality.” While Kennedy says Durst doesn’t produce the lowest-cost machines on the market, he believes the company produces those of the highest quality. “They have exceeded our expectations,” he adds.

What has led to a continued partnership with Durst – true brand loyalty – is based on proven production-floor experience. “Once we had the first couple of systems in, we found we had basically zero downtime beyond routine preventative maintenance activities. We saw the quality, the speed, and the machines keep on running.”

Britten's Durst-equipped production floor includes extensive fabrication capabilities.

And that brand loyalty, it seems, would be hard to break. While Kennedy says Britten always keeps its eyes open for the latest technology and listens carefully to other manufacturers, he has seen in the past few years that the competition is trying to catch up with Durst. Will this productive partnership continue? “We consider ourselves a Durst shop moving forward,” Kennedy affirms.

Asked to share examples of how Durst delivers satisfaction, Kennedy said the equipment’s print quality exceeds the company’s expectations. “The proof,” he says, “is in when we’re doing client run-offs for luxury brands – they’re ecstatic.” Further, he says, Durst’s service structure more than meets his needs. He says that while Britten does a large amount of its equipment service in-house, when needed, “The service team is one top of it, they have been fantastic.”

Increasing Opportunities

Beyond offering enhanced capacity and higher print quality, Durst’s printing systems have enabled Britten to change, to grow, to grab opportunities that were previously not available. The company’s ability to meet quick turn times for dye-sublimation has increased its competitiveness. “We were able to grab a lot more event work in dye-sublimation, and that has really opened up a channel for us,” Kennedy says.

One of Britten's building wrap projects, produced on Durst equipment, was so large it had to be folded up for transport in the company's parking lot.

Increased opportunity goes beyond meeting quick turns. Kennedy shares that Durst technology has enabled Britten to use new substrates and develop new products – such as applications printed on wood or brushed aluminum – that they couldn’t do before. He says that while some of that product expansion came through self-discovery, the Durst team also provided guidance and coaching, helping them get where they wanted to go. That consultative benefit, evidence that Durst is more than just an equipment provider, makes the Durst/Britten partnership strong.

The Path Forward

Kennedy believes that Britten will continue to grow into the events space, which will require high-quality printing at greater volumes. This, he shares, will lead the company toward more consolidation of legacy equipment and, likely, more purchases from the Durst portfolio. Also, he sees the company continuing to bolster its “turnkey” approach that includes design, printing, manufacturing, and installation – performed across multiple product types. Surely, having the right equipment in place will be essential for meeting that goal.

“The Read Deal”

Overall, Kennedy says Durst’s performance – as an equipment manufacturer, and as a partner in Britten’s success – is what makes their partnership so strong. “They’re the real deal,” he says. “There are a lot of companies that make the sale and don’t back up their product. They back up their products.”