DST Output, Peterborough, expects to achieve ROI in a year following investment in a Horizon StitchLiner 5500 - the UK’s leading automated saddlestitcher, supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems.

“We wanted to add stitching capabilities and we wanted to offer something not everyone can do – variable production,” explains Operations Manager Kevin Taylor.

The variable production is delivered via the variable page count software on an inline Horizon HOF400 feeder and Mr Taylor states: “I particularly liked its ability to produce variable page booklets and the verification and peace of mind that comes with that. We expect it to be very popular with existing customers and future customers too. By bringing the saddlestitching service in-house and by offering variable production we think the Horizon StitchLiner 5550 will pay for itself in a year.

“I also liked the intelligent features,” he said as part of his reasoning for choosing the fully-automated 11,000bph Horizon StitchLiner. They include a high profile icon-based colour touchscreen for set-ups in less than two minutes and instant job storage and recall that are ideal for short runs.”

The Horizon StitchLiner 5500 will handle output from two six-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster SM74s, a Xerox iGen and a Xerox Nuvera.

He adds: “It is easy to operate with the user interface and that means operators can produce a good quality product quickly. It is fast, efficient and very secure.”

The quality of build was also important: “It is a robust system. We viewed others but they looked like they should be in a digital print environment.”

As for its impact on the business he said: “It has only been in a short time but it won’t be long before it is running round the clock. We operate 24/6 and anticipate the StitchLiner will be running at full capacity soon.”