Perfect binder releases print firm's potential

Woodford Litho, in seeking to widen its portfolio to include more brochure and catalogue work has also eliminated a production bottleneck with a 12,000 copies per hour Kolbus 411B perfect binder.

Already producers of saddle stitched and perfect bound magazines, Woodford Litho's continuing investment in the press and pre-press facilities had enabled it to increase capacity beyond the capabilities of its 15 station Normbinder.

The solution to the problem, the Kolbus 411B, was also joined by a vacuum gatherer and pile trimmer to satisfy the current and foreseeable finishing capacity requirements of the company.

Vic Marland, Woodford's managing director, said: "My remit has been to broaden our customer base and to gear us up to be able to produce a wide range of finished magazines, catalogues and brochures without compromising on quality.

To do this we were looking for a flexible, high speed perfect binding line, but one which would also consistently deliver faultless products.

The Kolbus kit fitted the bill perfectly.

He explained that proof of the Kolbus system's capabilities was soon provided when Woodford Litho doubled the plant's production record by producing 101,400 perfect bound products in a 12-hour shift.

Another factor in buying the Kolbus 411B was the ability to satisfy an increasing demand for A5 format work.

That, and the PUR glue option, has given Woodford the ability to finish most jobs in-house and retaining overall quality control of the product.

Marland added: "A flexible workforce is another important enabler in any expansion plan.

And we consider ours second-to-none.

Agreements have been secured allowing us to change shift patterns rapidly in response to peaks of demand, including 24-hour working when required.

Most of the current expansion would not have been achieved without the foresight of chairman, Simon Fox.

When the company re-located to Witham from its Woodford origins in the 1970s it was he who secured a plot of land so that the company was able to double the size of its existing plant without the necessity for a further move.

Now, with a little re-organisation it has created an automated bindery unit on the site, with sufficient capacity for existing needs and the next round of planned press expansion.

Woodford's investment has not stopped with staff and equipment.

An accreditation for FSC/PEFC has now been achieved.

In addition, a further spin-off from the installation of the new Kolbus binder is the development of the waste paper extraction system and Vits cover sheeter.

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