Amersham’s quality focused general commercial printer Hartgraph, has extended its perfect binding capabilities with investment in a Horizon BQ160 perfect binder from Intelligent Finishing Systems to complement its existing Horizon, 4 clamp, BQ470.

“There was a very specific reason we chose the Horizon BQ160,” says Steve Walters, joint manging director. “We are asked by customers to supply larger size books with covers up to 320mm which is just outside of the BQ470’s parameters.

“We have always offered this service and so it was logical to bring the facilities inhouse. Our company approach has always been to perform as many finishing activities as practical on site. This keeps control over quality during production, delivery and costs for the client.

He continues: “We constantly strive to offer customers what they are looking for. It is a way we can differentiate ourselves and stand out. We have an eagerness and commitment to look after customers and that drives our financial investments.”

The specialist in literature, manual and book production has litho and digital capabilities with Heidelberg XL75 5-colour plus coater with Inpress control, SpeedMaster52 5-colour and Heidelberg Linoprint presses all of which are supported by a substantial range of bindery equipment.

The single clamp BQ160 features a colour touch screen with quick and easy set up and operation. It has multiple operation modes – with cover, without cover, tape bind, padding, notching, without notching – a motorized clamp and opening and closing. There is also increased nipper strength and variable settings as well as stand-by mode to prevent the glue breaking down.

Says Walters: “We considered other machines but we felt the Horizon BQ160 was the right one for us. We have various Horizon systems and commonality between touchscreen menu’s helps with accurate and swift set ups.”

As for the impact the perfect binder has made Walters says: “Is it in constant use and we now take on jobs on that perhaps we might have struggled with in the past.  It has enabled us to differentiate and win work.”

Hartgraph also installed a Foliant Castor 530SF laminator. The high speed up to 50 m/min compact industrial laminating machine is constructed for a heavy duty. It has a suction feeder and a high-speed bump separator, with a walk-in service section and an optional pallet feeder, a pallet stacker and a film loader.