The Bristol-based finishing specialist purchased the machine from supplier Friedheim International and it was installed in mid-December.

While the company had offered lamination before, the work had previously been outsourced. Its other in-house services range from cutting, creasing, die-making, and folding to shrinkwrapping, saddle-stitching, and various types of binding, among numerous others.

“I had previously seen the Komfi Delta 52 running and was very impressed, but we decided to go for the Komfi Sagitta 52 because of its price, faster running speed, footprint, reliability, makeready times and its ease of running,” said Folio managing director Richard Hughes.

“Financially, purchasing the new Komfi Sagitta 52 was a no-brainer for us. We spend over £50,000 a year on outsourcing lamination work and this investment will pay for itself within a year.”

He added: “Producing lamination work in-house also means that we save on transport costs and reduce turnaround times, allowing us to take on more work and increase capacity. Our customers are also happier that we can now laminate in-house instead of having to send the cover out for lamination.

“Having the laminator will enable us to expand our customer base, take on more work, give us more flexibility and take in-house control of both the quality and the finished product.”

The Komfi Sagitta 52 has a top operating speed of 64m/min and a maximum web width of 540mm. It can handle paper ranging between 115-600gsm and is available from Friedheim International with two additional options in an on-roll film slitter and film roll lift.

“The installation all went to plan; the machine was installed up and running within just eight hours,” said Hughes.

“We selected four members of staff from within the business who we wanted to run the laminator and Friedheim completed their training within two days, and we are now fully operational.”