London trade print finisher and book binder Cliftons has completed an £800,000 investment programme supporting its expansion into layflat and PUR binding with a B2 Horizon AFC-566FG folder and a Perfecta 115SE guillotine from Intelligent Finishing Systems.

The fully-automatic folder was chosen to complete work for layflat and PUR books. Explains Tim Clifton managing director of the operation that specialises in short to medium run PUR, casebound and layflat books: “We looked at layflat binding, that shows off great panoramic views about five or six years ago but at the time the market wasn’t ready.”

He continues: “In the last 18 months we have been pushing the layflat product quite hard and now it has really taken off. Layflat has added about £350,000 to our turnover last year and we expect that growth continue by 10% to 12% year-on-year.”

He adds: “Our existing Horizon folder was 13 years old and we were very happy with it but it was time to swap it out. The new one has helped us to further streamline throughput and increased production 20% to 25% due to faster make readies and consistent running speeds.”

The Horizon AFC-566 offers 17 fold patterns which are set up via an icon-based touchscreen. All roller gap settings are then performed automatically by inserting a single sheet at the calliper.

Cliftons also invested in a Perfecta 115SE guillotine which replaces an old Polar 137. Comments Mr Clifton: “We had a demo on the Perfecta and its functionality backgauge and knife speed along with knife change option were better and faster.”

The user-friendly Perfecta is suitable for sheets such as paper, board or even films and foils, rubber, leather, sandpaper and many other materials. Features include closed rear table trough top mounted backgauge guidance.