Leading UK innovative digital print, photo print and gift products provider Harrier LLC has chosen a next generation StitchLiner Mark III from IFS to elevate its book production and expand into new markets.
James Belton, Operational Planning & Solutions Manager at the Newton Abbot firm, explains: “We had an existing bookletmaker but wanted to upgrade to a faster solution that offered more capabilities. It will also help us move into new markets, such as variable data and personalised products. We are working on the interface to support this and once we are happy we will be offering more of that service.”
The next-generation Horizon StitchLiner Mark III builds on the hugely successful innovative StitchLiner series. Complete with servo drive technology, the system runs at a maximum speed of 6,000bph and up to 12,000bph with two-up production. It is also capable of producing A4 landscape booklets at speeds of up to 5,300bph.
Equipped with a new large 12.1″ HD colour touch screen there is also a quicker and more precise knife movement and variable thickness production as standard with new Hohner 52/8S stitching heads.
“We looked at other systems on the market but I had been watching the development of the StitchLiner and waiting for this model,” says Belton. “There is nothing else like it on the market. We liked its speed and robustness as well as the extra sheet length it offered for A4 landscape.
“We have a long-standing relationship with IFS as we have invested in its PUR binders. Our staff know the Horizon systems and find them easy to run.”
As for the impact the StitchLiner has made since installation Belton states: “It has been running well. It has increased our production of books per hour and given our staff more confidence to run the machine. A good percentage of our work is personalised and with the StitchLiner there is no need to print extras or overs which is really important when we are producing such short runs.”
As for return on investment he states: “We expect to achieve that within three years.”
