Replacing a Horizon HT-30 single-knife trimmer that was operated off-line, the new machine has now been attached directly inline from the firm’s Horizon BQ-470 automated four-clamp perfect binder.

It was supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems. 

Michael Kille, Impress managing director, told Printweek the upgrade had been a huge boon to Impress’ production speeds.

“It’s been really good, we’re definitely pleased with it,” he said.

“We’re now cutting books at around 600 an hour, whereas before we were around several hundred – our customers are pretty demanding, and they’re always looking for things very quickly, so it has helped us speed up our processes that little bit to give us an edge.”

The increased speed has particularly helped Impress with its short-run work, both on digital – Impress runs a Fuji Jet Press 750S – and on litho, where most of its work is run through a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 10-colour.

The new Horizon has likewise meant bringing some finishing work in-house, which, Kille added, means Impress being able to have full confidence in targeting new clients and bringing in more work.

“It just means we can offer more services, rather than wait – we can do a job in one day, rather than wait three days because we’ve had to put it out to a trade finisher,” he explained.

Impress employs 73 at its 3,000sqm site south-west of London.

The award-winning firm triumphed in the SME Customer Service Team of the Year category in this year's Printweek Awards.