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Mele Printing Cites “Huge” Improvement After Upgrading Bindery with Heidelberg Equipment

Mele Printing in Covington, LA, is thrilled with the newest additions to its full-service bindery: a high-speed programmable POLAR 137 XT cutter with Autotrim and a Stahlfolder TH 82 16-page signature folder, installed earlier this year.

According to Mallery Mele, president, the new POLAR 137 XT, which replaced an older POLAR 137, has increased the company’s cutting capacity by 15-20 percent thanks largely to the addition of the Autotrim automatic waste removal system and Transomat automated off-loading unit. Likewise, the new Stahlfolder TH 82 has slashed Mele’s makeready time by half, a “huge” improvement that has enabled the company to complete two or three additional jobs per shift and cut down on error by storing and recalling the most intricate folds, Mele said.

Inside and outside of the bindery, Mele is an all-Heidelberg shop that also operates a Speedmaster SM 102 6-color press with aqueous coater, a Speedmaster CD 74 5-color press with aqueous coater, Axis Control and Color Assistant – “the cornerstone of our shop,” Mele said – four Printmaster QM 46 2-color presses, a Eurobind 600 adhesive binder, a Stitchmaster ST 90 saddlestitcher, and a Stahlfolder B20 folder, installed new last year. The CD 74 is under Heidelberg's System Service full service program that includes remote diagnostics and on-site preventative maintenance inspection performed every 10 months. The company uses a variety of Heidelberg Saphira consumables in its pressroom.

Established in 1985, Mele Printing is a general commercial printer and mailer with a client base located throughout the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and Baton Rouge area. With 50 employees and annual sales of $7.4 million, the company values its longtime association with Heidelberg. “The quality of Heidelberg equipment is beyond question,” Mele said. “The support we get is fantastic. Heidelberg is a great company, especially on the service side.”

Cut to the chase with the POLAR 137 XT cutting system.