BINDERY matters

Quad Bindery Crew Cranks Out Jobs

LOMIRA, WI—In today's competitive, "must have it yesterday" stitched catalog market, speed and overall output capabilities are the keys to success.

At the Quad/Graphics facility here, the production crew is setting the pace for stitching speed and output utilizing a Tempo saddlestitcher from Muller Martini. The Quad Tempo is capable of running at 20,000 cycles per hour and the crew was recently recognized with an "Excellence in Finishing" award as the highest producing saddlestitching team among Quad's arsenal of more than 100 machines.

Quad/Graphics' LHT-132 team relies on its 36-pocket Tempo saddlestitcher for production output that enables Quad to meet the needs of its customers. The operators on the team include: Tony Killinger, Brian Odekirk, Andy Strobel and Russ Yohn, complemented by their supporting crews.

The skilled team running LHT-132 produced more than 89 million catalogs in 2004, and are on pace to break that mark this year. With 36 selectively fired feeders on their Muller Martini Tempo stitcher, the crew is often running four, five or up to 10 different versions of a catalog simultaneously.

Demo Site Comes to the West Coast

ROSELAND, NJ—Bobst Group USA, based here, has opened a West Coast machinery demonstration site. Located at the Advanced Die Supplies facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA, the site houses a fully operational Bobst Fuego 110-A2 CS folder-gluer and a Bobst SPeria 106-E Autoplaten diecutter. The facility opened for customer demonstrations in August, and an open house was scheduled for late September.

"Customers like to get an up close and hands-on feel for the machinery when they are considering a purchase," says Chris Raney, vice president, folding cartons for Bobst Group USA. "Competition between converters or printers often complicates finding a place to take a customer to experience this equipment. So we feel that having demo facilities makes it more convenient for the customers. They don't have to travel as far to see the equipment and we can take them whenever it works for their schedule."

Advanced Die Supplies maintains a distributorship agreement with Bobst as an authorized primary supplier for diecutting and diemaking components for Bobst equipment.

Hans Max Plans His Retirement

WESTAMPTON, NJ—Hans Max, president and CEO of MBO America, has announced plans to retire effective January 1, 2006. Born in Marbach a/N, Germany, he joined parent company MBO in Oppenweiler, Germany, at a young age in 1969. He worked there in different capacities, learning both the technical and business aspects of the folding industry.

Max moved to the United States as executive vice president of MBO America in 1991 and was soon promoted to president and CEO. Under his leadership, MBO America experienced tremendous growth. "I was immediately struck by the fact that a good company with quality products, supported by the best service, could open the market and make MBO a leader in the folding and finishing industry.

"I cannot thank our employees, dealers and customers enough for the loyalty and support they have given MBO America and me over the years," he adds. "It's not a cliché to say that I will miss the people most—from my co-workers at MBO America, to our many customers and friends. This industry reinforces every day that we are all part of a global family, of which I am a proud and thankful member."

Max and his wife plan to stay in New Jersey for a few years where he will pursue personal interests.

Colad Bought Out by Bindagraphics

BALTIMORE—Bindagraphics Inc. has purchased The Colad Group, a manufacturer of presentation and promotional packaging located in Buffalo, NY. Colad was purchased out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in federal court in Buffalo. The new company will remain in Buffalo and operate as The Colad Group LLC.

Colad specializes in custom manufacturing of information packaging solutions, including slipcases, POP displays and easels, multimedia holders, presentation folders, ring binders, index tabs, totes and boxes, direct mail promotions, and other custom and alternative packaging.

Marty Anson, president and CEO of Bindagraphics, said the purchase of Colad will supplement the offerings of Quality Information Packaging (QIP), a multimedia packaging division of Bindagraphics. "Our plan is to put Colad on the path of profitability by increasing operational efficiency, improving and enhancing the services we provide customers, and growing sales," concludes Anson.

Quick Cuts

Rasch Graphic Services, a trade finisher based in Houston, has appointed Roy Helmer to the position of production manager. He has extensive experience with finishing and fulfillment manufacturing.

Fry Communications, Mechanicsburg, PA, announced the startup of a second new Muller Martini Tempo 22 saddle binder.

Cary Printing, of Cary, NC, has added mailing services. A new Videojet PrintMail Widearray system provides personalization to direct mail work. Also, a Duplo collator and GBC double-loop wire binder have been installed.

The Argus Press in Niles, IL, a division of the Nationwide Graphics/Premier Print Organization, has opened a state-of-the-art fulfillment facility dedicated to Chicago-area customers using the company's e-fulfillment/distribution system, Argosy 2.

Binding Solutions, Charlotte, NC, is now running a Standard Horizon SpeedVac 100 tower collating system, a Standard Horizon SPF-20A stitcher/folder and a FC-20A face trimmer.

Heidelberg has installed a Stahl B30 buckle plate folder, a Stitchmaster ST 270 saddlestitcher and its new Polar ED 137 cutting system with jogger and transomat stacker at Payne Printery, based in Dallas, PA.

A Bobst diecutter, Bobst folder/gluer and Polar Autocut trim system have been purchased by Outlook Group in Neenah, WI.