Why did you purchase the machine?
In order to move into a new market niche. I bought the machine when I took on the owner of a local company that had closed.

Why did you choose this particular model?
It is the only machine of its type that was compatible with my existing equipment. It is a high-specification miniature folder that is capable of taking add-ons.

Did you look at any other similar machines?
I had previously looked at a similar GUK version, but nothing else really compares with the Herzog + Heymann.

What features do you particularly like about the machine?
The flexibility is superb. The long infeed is particularly good and enables us to do more with DL folding. As this was our first involvement with miniature folding and Herzog + Heymann, things were a little difficult to begin with, but now we have more experience and control, the machine has proved a revelation.

Is there anything that you dislike?
Nothing I can think of.

Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t have?
A third unit might be useful in terms of options.

How fast is it?
It all depends on the job it is doing.

How reliable is it?
If used the right way with the right stock, it runs and runs. The key is having the right operator working on it.

What’s the quality like?
Providing you have an experienced operator and the right stock, then the quality is excellent.

Would you say that it has saved you any time or money?
It hasn’t really saved time, as there is nothing to compare with.  What it has done is enable us to provide a complementary service to what we already offer, so that customers can take on finishing work not normally handled.

Would you say that it offers value for money?
Compared to some other items of equipment, it is value for money – but the key is having experienced operators.

Did the installation run to plan?
Yes, there were no real issues – both installation and training were good. However, it took several months for the operators to become fully acquainted with what it is capable of achieving.

How was the pre- and after-sales service?
I couldn’t fault it.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
Trade businesses – particularly companies handling pharmaceutical folding or looking for a ‘niche’ market.

Based on your own experience of using it, would you recommend it to somebody else?
Definitely, but I really wouldn’t want them to get one.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
If we got increased demand for the right type of work.

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CONCLUSION
User’s verdict  
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5?
Reliability 5/5
Ease of use 3/5?
Value for money 4/5?
Supplier’s response    
Stuart Bamford, Friedheim UK and Ireland sales manager, says: "Due to its unique radial rollers, the KL112 is a great solution for folding miniature and intricate impositions. This enables finishers to offer a niche service with added value. The KL112 is also enormously flexible as different feeders can be added, not only to the first unit, but also to the second thus effectively providing two folding machines for parallel folding. Because the KL112’s mode of operation is different to standard folding machines, there is a learning curve involved, but this situation is easily addressed by Friedheim’s team of skilled demonstrators."
Price £20,000-£80,000
Contact Friedheim International ?01442 206100