Product category:
Print Finishing (Binding, Folding, Inserting, Stitching, etc.)
News Release from: Graphic Arts Equipment | Subject: Horizon AFc-546 Stitchliner
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 August 2006
Environmental Benefits Of Folding System
Eliminating waste in the finishing department and ensuring set-up times are as quick as possible was behind environmentally-conscious aLocalPrinter.com's decision to install an Horizon Stitchliner.
Eliminating waste in the finishing department and ensuring set-up times are as quick as possible was behind environmentally-conscious aLocalPrinter.com's decision to install an Horizon Stitchliner "We're a quality colour printer producing mainly short to medium-run work but what makes us different is our commitment to environmentally-friendly production," said Ray Burn, managing director of the Storrington, West Sussex (UK) printer
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 7 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
JDF-Ready Stitcher Handles Short-Run Book Work
The development of the short to medium run saddle stitched books led to an investment in a Horizon Stitchliner system that has transformed operations at Rumbold Holland.
Guillotine Provides Speed For Print Franchise
The need for speed prompted Alphagraphics' Sheffield print franchise to install one of Horizon's APC-61II 61cm fully-automated programmable hydraulic guillotines.
He said that the Horizon machines supplied by Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE) fit his company's ethos in a number of ways, most importantly because of their environmental benefits.
The investment followed the addition of LocalPrinter.com's first Horizon machine, an AFC-546 automated combination B2 folding system.
Burn commented: "When it comes to finishing, the key is eliminating waste and making sure set-up times are as quick as possible.
Further reading
Booklet Production's 4,500bph Throughput
One of Horizon's SPF200A stitch-fold-trim booklet production lines is helping automotive and educational booklet printer, Elanders Hindson move towards JDF connectability.
Paper Counting Machines Join GAE's Systems Range
Graphic Arts Equipment has been awarded the exclusive UK and Ireland distributorship for the Uchida Countron range of paper counting machines.
Computer-Controlled Guillotine's Fast Change-Overs
When Hurricane Press needed a high-quality guillotine to replace older equipment it chose a Perfecta 76UC.
Horizon are the most automated machines available, enabling a non-specialist operator to make-ready and run within a few minutes, with little or no waste sheets.
The AFC-546 offers a big range of preset folds, which are selected by a touch-screen control.
This is a great help when a key factor in the price equation is format standardisation." Burn said that the benefits of automation were also uppermost in his mind when deciding to order the Horizon Stitchliner.
He commented: "There's nothing to touch the Stitchliner when it comes to quick turn-around, short-run saddlestitching and the quality of the finished book is equal to that produced for long-run gatherer-stitcher lines.
Having had problems with collator and bookletmakers in the past, we went to Horizon because we were so impressed with the folder.
We thought about the Vac-Turbo system but the higher quality and productivity of the Stitchliner made it the ideal solution." Burn explained that his impressions of GAE, as a supplier are equally impressive: "Horizon has great products but back-up is important.
We have been impressed with GAE, who have been responsive and professional at all times." aLocalPrinter.com has a history dating back to 1978, although the current name and brand has been in existence since last January.
The majority of its customers are in south east England and London, though the growth of its internet business is evidence of a high demand throughout the UK for the company's 'green' printing.
Explained Burn: "Most printers can offer 'green' products but expect their customers to pay a premium or sacrifice quality.
We turn that idea on its head by offering 'green' as standard and because we're set up for it, we can keep the quality high and the price low for the end user." As its name suggests, aLocalPrinter.com, has also embraced the internet and is increasingly focused on its on-line business.
"One of the ways we keep costs down and environmental standards high is by offering a range of standardised formats on-line.
Every product on our website has a FSC-certified or 100 per cent recycled paper option," added Burn.
And he continued: "All aspects of production are designed to minimise environmental impact.
For instance, when it comes to print we use vegetable-based inks and, where possible, we keep to CMYK to avoid spot colour wash-ups.
Also we have an alcohol reduction programme, which will ultimately lead to solvent-free running." Since Ray Burn acquired the company in 2003, annual turnover has doubled to its current level of GBP1.2m.
It has 14 staff operating a design facility, five-colour B2 offset and a comprehensive finishing section.
• Graphic Arts Equipment: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Printingtalk email newsletter
• Printingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
