Full service provider The DS Group has brought perfect binding inhouse with a Horizon BQ-160 PUR single-clamp perfect binder supplied by IFS.
Celebrating its 20th year in business, the Clacton-on-Sea operation delivers design, print, direct mail and media publishing services to a wide range of customers from small, local businesses to blue chips, banks and household names.
Managing Director Allistair Hunter explains: “We were sending our perfect binding work out but the businesses we were using either closed or stopped offering the service. We wanted to be able to continue to respond to customer demand so decided to bring the process inhouse. We are also looking to offer a trade service.”
The investment is the first Horizon solution for The DS Group and the decision was made after seeing it in operation. Says Hunter: “We visited an IFS customer that was using the system in exactly the same way we wanted to. We were immediately sold and bought it there and then. The IFS team was very supportive and helpful and that enabled us to be confident in the decision. We also know we can call on them should we need any further assistance.”
He continues: “We liked the Horizon BQ-160 because it is a good quality system that was easy to set up and run. Horizon has a good name. We have always chosen solutions that are the right fit for our business, and this was perfect. We liked the fact we can quickly jump on it as and when we need to. The finish is good too which was very important.”
The Horizon BQ-160 can produce strong, high quality perfect bound books up to 1.6” thick at speeds up to 180 cycles per hour. It’s dynamic colour touchscreen allows the operator to easily adjust a range of settings including cover alignment with the spine, nipping pressure, clamping pressure and much more. Other features include energy-save and auto-off functions, the ability to notch in one or both directions, and an optional carbon air filtration system to reduce adhesive odours. The DS Group’s system is being run inline with the Horizon CRB-160 Cover Creaser. Following its installation Hunter says: “It is very easy to use and we are confident in its ability to enable us to offer a consistently high quality finish. We see a lot of potential for growth. We are looking forward to promoting perfect binding as a trade service which will help us achieve our goal of an 18 month return on investment.”
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