The £130,000 machine has a digital feeder and camera verification system, enabling it to handle the production of variable data jobs, as well as automated touchscreen set-up, allowing instant job storage and recall.
ProCo production manager Graeme Parry said that the 11,000bph machine, which trims, creases, gathers and stitches flat four-page sections all in one function, was vital in securing the booklet deal.
"This project could only run effectively for the amount of units producing per week on this piece of equipment," he said.
"We are essentially taking out a trimming process, a guillotining process, a holding process and then combining this all into one function rather than having three separate operators. This removal of extra finishing processes increases finishing efficiency."
ProCo staff looked at a number of rival systems but chose the Horizon StitchLiner due to price and successful equipment testing. "Capacity-wise it gives us a huge plus on the kit we had previously and, producing 5,000-7,000 run lengths, gives us 50% on certain styles of work," Parry said.
The StitchLiner, which was supplied by UK distributor Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS), has partly replaced ProCo's Muller stitching line, although ProCo will retain its older line.
Parry said he hoped the SitchLiner investment would lead to other new contracts. "It gives us the option to look at other projects like this, whereas in the past it would have been cost prohibitive.
"It opens us up to a readjustment of the prices as we are not having to pay for the resource and outlay of three members of staff," he said.
ProCo's latest investment is part of its focus this year to increase the amount of work produced in-house, allowing the firm to control quality and ultimately reduce costs.
