The 20,000cph system was described as "the machine magazine binderies have been waiting for" when it was shown for the first time at Drupa last year, where it generated enormous interest among web printers looking to eradicate the perfect binding bottleneck.

Installation has just begun at St Ives' Plymouth plant, and the 12-station, eight-inserter binder is expected to be operational by early August.

"We think it's a revolution in perfect binding and if it does what it says on the tin it will improve productivity pretty radically," said David Emeny, managing director of St Ives Web. "Although it will be the first in the UK it's not like having something that's an unknown quantity, because it's all proven technology."

The Publica-Rollstream marries a Kolbus perfect binder with Ferag's high-speed gathering and inserting technology. St Ives is anticipating net output of 15,000-18,000cph and a minimum of 12,000cph.

[o] St Ives is understood to be down to a final shortlist of five candidates for its new group sales director role.

Story by Jo Francis