Horizon BQ-470 perfect binder
Weston-super-Mare-based trade finisher UK Bookbinders has invested in an IFS-supplied BQ-470 perfect binder and HT-30 three-side trimmer to support a new digital business division.
The company hopes the move into new markets will help to attract new customers as well as increase its offering to existing clients.
‘We moved into an extra 7000 sq ft at the end of last year and now that area will be where we handle digital finishing,’ explained Lee Gray, general manager. ‘Having the systems close together will streamline production and ensure greater efficiency.
‘We work with printers from across the UK offering a range of services for litho print from thread sewing, perfect and PUR binding to case binding,’ he continued. ‘Now we want to broaden our services to handling short runs and digital work in a cost-effective way. The Horizon systems are perfect for that. Before, runs of 200 to 300 were cost prohibitive.’
UK Bookbinders chose the BQ470 binder for its ease of operation and opted for the four-clamp model for greater production flexibility.
‘It is versatile, easy to make-ready, and has a good running speed. It ticked all the boxes,’ said Mr Gray.
The Horizon HT30 three-side trimmer features automated job set-ups and quick changeovers with the ability to store up to 40 different book jobs in memory. It operates off-line to trim perfect-bound books at speeds up to 200 cycles per hour. A colour touchscreen allows all set-ups to be performed with full automation.
‘This will be ideal for when we ramp up the orders,’ commented Mr Gray. ‘It will streamline the process and we can also be confident in the quality of the results.’
