Product category:
Print Finishing (Binding, Folding, Inserting, Stitching, etc.)
News Release from: Graphic Arts Equipment | Subject: GAE-supplied digital bindery
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 November 2007
Swallowmax Takes Control With Horizon
Enfield commercial printer has invested in a twin-tower Horizon VAC-Turbo PowerCollator with integrated JDF-ready SPF/FC-200A 4,500 bph booklet production line.
With ambitious plans to double turnover to more than GBP2.5m, move into larger premises and invest in a B2 Komori 5 colour + coater, Swallowmax needed to ensure its finishing department was up to the challenge That is why the Enfield commercial printer, set up 11 years ago by directors Robert Beaton, Tony Briggs and Philip Pearson, chose to invest in GAE-supplied digital bindery
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 7 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The finishing department spend includes a twin-tower Horizon VAC-Turbo PowerCollator with integrated JDF-ready SPF/FC-200A 4,500 bph booklet production line.
Mr Beaton explained: "We do a lot of short-run work for one of the UK's major healthcare providers and we were sending the booklet work out".
"We decided we would have more control over what we could do if we brought the process in-house".
"It has generated more work that we would normally have had to outsource and the greater control means the service we offer customers now is a lot better".
It is the first time the company has invested in GAE supplied products and Mr Beaton said: "We first saw the equipment at Digital Print World last year".
"We looked at others but the Horizon was just right for our needs".
"It was a good-quality build as well which we liked".
"This was the right time for us to make the investment".
Since the installation the machine has proven to be a flexible addition to the bindery.
Mr Beaton adds: "Mainly it is running jobs of 4,000 to 5,000 booklets and the healthcare work is often 300 to 400 booklets".
"We have done runs of up to 20,000, though".
As for the ease of installation and learning the ropes of a whole new finishing process, Mr Beaton says: "The operators can run pretty much anything and I think with the training they had they were able to pick up the machine and produce a quality finish very quickly".
Running Komori 528 presses, the general commercial printer produces a wide range of products from advertising literature and brochures to stationery.
Other high-profile clients include Hagen Dazs and Tetley.
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