Printers Show Confidence with Investments in Heidelberg Solutions

Allied Printing in Ferndale, MI, recently purchased a new KAMA ProFold 74 multi-functional finishing folder-gluer to advance its plans to expand into high-value, short-run, boutique packaging. As a first step in that direction, the company installed a Heidelberg Varimatrix diecutter last year.

“We were doing our own die cutting but still outsourcing the finishing,” said Vice President of Operations Tony Pelc. “As we continue to build our book of business, we are keenly focused both on maintaining quality control over the products we produce, as well as on achieving quicker time to market without relying on third party sources. With both the Varimatrix and the new KAMA ProFold in place, we can seize the opportunity to participate in the boutique packaging market, and to do so profitably.”

As a testament to the KAMA ProFold’s simplicity and ease-of use, Pelc explained that after two of Allied’s operators spent only four days in training at Heidelberg’s Technology Center in Kennesaw, GA, they were so well-versed in running the machine that no additional on-site training was required after installation.

“They took to the machine immediately,” he said, including mastery of a variety of options, including capacity folding, pocket folding, and turning devices; a hotmelt and fugitive glue application system; adhesive tape dispenser; and pick-and place attachment. Among the products for which Allied uses the KAMA ProFold are pocket folders, crash-lock boxes, CD and DVD pockets, and specialty mailing envelopes.

“We love the KAMA ProFold 74 for its versatility,” Pelc said, “especially its card-inserting capability, which lets us affix cards or magnets to pocket folders, for example.”