Cannock commercial printer KJB UK Ltd has completed a four-year operational review with the installation of a Horizon BQ-280 PUR single clamp perfect binder from Intelligent Finishing Systems.
The 25-year old family-run £2m+ turnover firm embarked on the business-wide assessment to gain a greater understanding of where end-to-end improvements could be made and this year it expects to record a 2016 year on year growth of 30%-50% prompting it to look at possible acquisition opportunities.
Explains commercial director Stephen Egerton: “We have already won three significant orders in 2016 as result of our programme to broaden the services we provide in-house and make us more competitive. And in the past two weeks alone we have progressed two large tenders.”
“We run 1.5m sheets and 50 jobs per day but we are no longer just selling print. We are selling print services including consultancy, advice and experience and part of that is the offer of specialist finishing capabilities. We partner our customers. We spend more time with them to talk about what they want to achieve.
Offering PUR binding was part of that extension of in-house services. Egerton chose the single-clamp BQ-280 after an unsuccessful trial with an alternative supplier. The Horizon BQ-280 features Full Automation including – PUR glue application rollers, side gluing, nipper control, cover feeding and cover scoring of hinge and spine creasers. It also offers variable binding with full automatic setting on a book by book basis. Another great feature is the elevator book delivery system; this ensures the bound PUR books are handled with care at all times and are of highest strength for our clients.
“Customers were asking for PUR and one particular job is a training manual that has lots of different versions and needs to be able to withstand extreme temperatures. It is a monthly run of several thousand and we have an eight day window to print, laminate, bind and send it out. But we are confident in delivering that and our customers are confident in us too.
He continues: “Its implementation was very smooth. In fact on the first day of training we produced a job for the local Chamber of Commerce. Investing in new equipment is about effective and efficient utilisation. The Horizon BQ-280 gives us that. We had an idea of what the ROI would be but we are going to beat that with ease. The machine has been paying for itself from day one”
Alongside a review of its finishing capabilities KJB, which produces litho print on a B2 Komori LS529 and digital on a Ricoh Pro C9100 and Ricoh Pro C7100 and KJB is also finalising the deal on two additional Konica Minolta digital presses. Egerton states: “We are increasing our flexibility and looking to be more creative with our offer.”
As well as dealing direct with local and national operations KJB also has a successful online ordering portal driven by Tharstern Primo MIS. Says Egerton: “The process is now so automated that there is no human touchpoint until the job reaches the press.”
He concludes: “We want to work with customers on a consultative basis. We want to help them introduce new products. When customers ask ‘Can you?’ We say yes.”
