ProCo has completed its review of post press operations investing in a Horizon CRF-362 creaser/folder and a Horizon SPF-200A booklet maker supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems
These two new installations at ProCo’s Stansted site follow recent investments in a Horizon BQ-270V single clamp perfect binders at both ProCo’s Sheffield and Stansted sites. The Sheffield site was already using the Horizon StitchLiner 5500 with four VAC-1000 collators to complement its stitching capacity
ProCo Production Director Graeme Parry explains the Horizon CRF-362 was needed to enable daily short run folded work for one of ProCo’s web to print solutions. He says: “At the time our 10 year old Digi fold was proving to be too unreliable, and to avoid any detriment to our quality or service to our customers, we looked for an alternative. We chose the Horizon CRF-362 for its build quality and operator friendly interface also the ongoing service contracts are more reasonable. Its reliability means we can work to tighter deadlines knowing the machine won’t let us down.
As for the Horizon SPF-200A bookletmaker with the HOF-400 digital feeder and TBC-200L top and bottom cutter he explains: “Our previous stitching line was struggling with the demand of short run booklet work and was beginning to cause issues meeting the demands of our clients. The SPF-200A with the 3-knife trimmer means work can bypass the guillotine taking one process out which makes it much more efficient reducing any bottlenecks around the guillotines.”
With its barcode reader, the system also enables ProCo to deliver greater security measures for its customers: “With the addition of the barcode reader we can now confidently deal with data critical work and get full verification on each booklet that’s stitched. We can then pass that data onto the client. Unlike our Sheffield site where there are three individual stitching lines, at Stansted we needed to invest in a single, reliable well-built machine, which will see us through the next ten years and possibly beyond.
The Horizon StitchLiner 5500 was previously chosen as a short to medium run system to bridge the gap between higher run quantity work and small run bookletmaker jobs. Says Parry: “Within this space there were a number of options but the build quality and versatility of the Horizon StitchLiner 5500 with four VAC-1000 collators was hard to ignore. We added the 2-up kit to get even better production numbers on the floor. We already had a 4 tower collator from Horizon so we were able to use this as a base and build up to the full system we have today.
He added: “The quick make ready times and pre-sets make job changeover quick, and in terms of output we are really pleased with the run rate we see.
The Horizon BQ-270V was chosen as an entry level binder that would be flexible enough to manage variable perfect bound books from runs of one to hundreds. “The binder gives us this ability,” states Parry. “Set up is quick and easy and the spine depth can be altered in the run using the calliper which in turn alters the creasing on the cover. The bind is clean and strong and the equipment is extremely reliable.
Parry continues: “In terms of other equipment offerings in this space, nothing as far as I’m concerned comes close to it. So much so that we have one at each of our sites.
As for ProCo’s relationship with IFS, Parry states: “Overall in dealing with IFS we have found a great partner that understands our production requirements and the needs and demands of the end client. The kit we have purchased gives fantastic ease of use and great flexibility, underpinned by the reliability which we have come to expect from its product offerings.”
