The CRF-362 arrived from supplier Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) in November 2024, replacing an ageing Morgana folder, and immediately went into action supporting WPG’s two eight-colour B2 Komori Lithrones and stable of Konica Minolta digital presses, including its AccurioPress C12000.

Paul Jones, managing director of WPG, said it was the right time to update the company’s folding and creasing capabilities.

“After looking around at what was on the market, we chose the Horizon because we liked its build, ease of use and affordability. We also liked its ability to manage a wide range of substrates. We finish some jobs by hand and the new system can now complete those for us. We knew it could do everything that we wanted it to do.”

The Welshpool, mid-Wales-based firm has now been able to take some perforation work off its Heidelberg Cylinder, and automate regular hand-finished jobs like closed gate-folds, which the Morgana was not capable of handling.

Speaking to Printweek, Jones added: “Apart from a few teething issues, it’s a good stable machine, a lot more efficient than the old Morgana.”

WPG has now trained seven of its staff to work on the CRF-362.

“The guys in the bindery obviously picked it up quickly, as it’s very similar to a lot of other IFS kit, and any problems were sorted out quickly,” Jones said.

The company also added a pair of six-headed embroidery machines in late 2024.

“The industry is changing. We’ve got digital presses running alongside the litho presses, we’ve got signage, and so it was just the next thing to look at, and we put the machines in to allow us to continue that [diversification],” Jones said.

WPG will celebrate its 65th year in business in April. The company employs 38.