Marketing services group Linney has bolstered its booklet production capabilities with the installation of a Horizon iCE StitchLiner Mark IV saddle-stitching system. The system, supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS), has been paired with a HOF-400 high-speed digital sheet feeder and integrated barcode verification. The investment aims to enable fully automated, high-integrity booklet production.
Charles Linney, director at the Mansfield-based firm, said the investment followed a comprehensive review of market options: “The Horizon StitchLiner stood out for its high-speed variable pagination and exceptional accuracy. It is perfect for short-run, on-demand production with fast setup time.”
He added that the upgrade would result in a productivity increase of nearly three times compared to Linney’s previous machine, ensuring the company remains responsive to growing customer demand for stitched products.
“Our clients are increasingly looking for personalised booklets rather than generic ones. The barcode camera reading capabilities offer greater accuracy,” said Mr Linney. “It also ensures we are in complete control of our production area.”
The StitchLiner’s barcode reading function allows for precise job tracking and sequence validation, helping to minimise errors and improve workflow. The system also enables high-speed stitching, folding and trimming, even with variable data jobs.
The machine is supported by Horizon’s iCE LiNK software platform, which offers cloud-based real-time production analysis, integration with MIS systems, and remote maintenance scheduling.
“We are using iCE LiNK, which offers real-time production data with full traceability and an audit trail,” Mr Linney added. “This is vital information for some of our clients, who wish to check the accuracy of the work we produce for them.”
The Horizon iCE StitchLiner Mark IV can produce up to 6,000 booklets per hour and is designed to meet the growing demand for automated, flexible short-run production.
