The new binder will be installed this Monday (25 July) and, according to Park Communications deputy managing director Paul Walker, represents a further move by the company into PUR binding.
Walker said: “We’ve had a Horizon in the past, a single clamp BQ270, that has always been very reliable and robust.
“We undertook trials at the Horizon showroom, saw the machine in action and that it was successful with the books we produced, which was part of the process we undertook to ensure the machine was fit for our production requirments."
“The fact that we’re doing different types of binding now, more creative, the requirement for PUR is now an important part of our digital solution for our customers.”
Walker said he also liked the trimming feature on the Horizon and the icon-based touchscreen, which made the transition easy for the operators from the old binder to the new. He also highlighted the consistency of the bind and its quick changeover from PUR to EVA adhesive.
The Horizon can bind 1,350 books per hour at a thickness of up to 65mm. It is mainly suited to mid-range soft-back book production.
The investment will also mean that Beckton-based Park Communication’s Muller Martini Acoro perfect binder can be utilised elsewhere.
“Our current short-run PUR books are run through our Muller Martini Acoro binder, which has become disruptive as volumes have increased, so this investment will also make our Acoro more effective, increasing productivity in the main bindery area," added Walker.
Park’s strategic investment programme began in March 2015, when it purchased an HP Indigo 7800. At that point, it also expanded its floor space to accommodate for a high-speed envelope inserting system, a Kalmar KC45.
Walker said since the purchase of the Indigo, Park’s digital sales have quadrupled, and it now wants to bring more creative services in-house, such as lay-flat binding and internalisation of mailing.
In October 2015, it purchased a KBA Rapida 106 B1 press for £1.9m.
Earlier this year, it employed a new digital night operator and it will be making a further investment in the cutting and creasing department in August.
“With print now you need to offer different services, especially for the creative markets, and finishing is so important in that process, print needs to stand out and be differentiated. If we can be more creative in the way we finish I feel that adds value for our customers and our business," said Walker.
Other than the Indigo, KBA, Acoro and Horizon, Park also runs two 10-colour Heidelberg CD 102 perfectors and a number of MBO folders.
Its turnover is £13m and it has a staff of 126, with no current plans to recruit.
