Premier League Finishing

City digital and general commercial printer Premier Print Group has fitted automated Horizon folding and binding systems as part of an ambitious plan to boost turnover by 10% in each of the next two years. The programme involves tightening supply-side practice to deliver cost benefits and capture new markets. Joint MD Darren Goodson is confident this will be achieved via a two-pronged strategy: “Firstly, we are undertaking a cost cutting phase, making labour more efficient and reducing running costs. Secondly we are investing in more efficient and productive equipment with the most up-to date technology.”

These criteria were met with the company’s most recent investment in Horizon JDF-ready automated finishing equipment. Darren Goodson explains: “Horizon make highly automated machines which don’t require highly specialised staff… this allows greater flexibility for our personnel. They also bring us the fastest possible makereadies -  if these machines can save us a couple of hours per day, that’s maybe ten per week and 500 per year; it really makes a significant, quantifiable difference in the bottom line for our clients.”

The new Horizon systems, an AFC-544 B2 folding machine, a BQ-270 single-clamp perfect binding line and HT-30 robotic three side trimmer were supplied by G.A.E.

Darren Goodson continues: “Because of their run-length flexibility and product versatility the new systems provide extra capacity which helps us cope with our increasing workload. We are using the AFC folder alongside a comparable machine from another manufacturer, but it offers more than double the throughput because of its modern features and superior feeding system. The main impact of the BQ-270 perfect binder has been to reduce our outwork bill – and our customers really do notice the difference, they’ve have been very happy with the quality of the finished work we have been producing since the Horizon machines came in.”

These customers are predominantly either in the conference business or publishers of short run magazines and promotional print. Increasingly Premier Print is involved in much more than traditional commercial printing via its subsidiary Premier Direct Mail. “We use a combination of litho and digital equipment to produce a variety of personalised direct mail products. We are getting more and more involved in mailshot management and offer a complete fulfillment service,” says Mr Goodson.