The Clacton-on-Sea, Essex-based company took delivery of a Horizon BQ-160 PUR single-clamp perfect binder last month. The machine, which has a list price of £17,000, was supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS).
“We were sending our perfect binding work out but the businesses we were using either closed or stopped offering the service,” said managing director Allistair Hunter.
“We wanted to be able to continue to respond to customer demand so decided to bring the process in-house. We are also looking to offer a trade service.”
The company’s decision to invest in the machine was made after seeing it in operation.
“We visited an IFS customer that was using the system in exactly the same way we wanted to,” said Hunter.
“We were immediately sold and bought it there and then. The IFS team was very supportive and helpful and that enabled us to be confident in the decision. We also know we can call on them should we need any further assistance.”
He added: “We liked the Horizon BQ-160 because it is a good quality system that was easy to set up and run. Horizon has a good name. We have always chosen solutions that are the right fit for our business, and this was perfect. We liked the fact we can quickly jump on it as and when we need to. The finish is good too which was very important.”
The Horizon BQ-160 can produce strong, high quality perfect bound books up to 1.6 inches thick at speeds up to 180cph. Features include energy-save and auto-off functions, the ability to notch in one or both directions, and an optional carbon air filtration system to reduce adhesive odours.
The DS Group’s system is being run inline with the Horizon CRB-160 Cover Creaser.
“It is very easy to use and we are confident in its ability to enable us to offer a consistently high quality finish,” said Hunter.
He added the promotion of perfect binding as a trade service will help the company to achieve its goal of an 18-month return on investment.
Operating from 1,400sqm premises, The DS Group serves a wide range of customers from one-man bands through to blue-chip clients.
The group, which turns over £3m and employs 30 staff, is celebrating its 20th year in business this year. In late 2020 The DS Group expanded its board with three new additions. It also installed new printers from Canon and Konica Minolta earlier in the year.
