Kolbus America

Eckhart & Company upgraded its hardcover book manufacturing capabilities with the addition of a new 2020 Kolbus BF513.

A few weeks ago, I reported on Muller Martini assuming much of Kolbus' perfect binding and hard-cover systems portfolio. So, I thought I would provide an update. Both firms are giants in the postpress field, with many, many years of history of providing continuous bindery innovation. When you think about it, this was inevitable.

Muller Martini has taken over the perfect binding and bookline business from Kolbus. The transaction includes the service and spare parts business for all of Kolbus' bookbinding systems installed worldwide. Kolbus will focus on the packaging and casemaking business, parts manufacturing and the foundry business.

So, I was doing some weekend planning on Friday when an email arrived in my inbox with the simple subject line “WOW!” Who could resist opening such a message? The announcement was that Muller Martini was effectively taking over the perfect binding and bookline business of Kolbus.

Central Bindery in Phoenix has managed to both survive, and even thrive. Founded 31 years ago, Central has evolved into a broad-based trade bindery offering traditional and not-so-traditional services. Along with folding, perfect binding, saddle stitching and all forms of mechanical binding, Central Bindery offers pharmaceutical folding, round cornering and shrink wrapping. Owner Andy Delph has "seen it all" since its startup, and he and his team have had to adapt to many challenges and opportunities.

We see tons of packaging in retail every day, but luxury packaging is a different breed.

Well, I've put another "drupa notch" on my belt, and it was quite an experience. The weather in Düsseldorf was good, and the crowds were there. For those who have never been, the sheer size of the show, and the enormous investment by the hundreds of firms exhibiting are truly mind-boggling. Deals were done, and many were for multiple high-priced systems, putting lots of smiles on vendor salespeople and management.

Journalists from all over the world gathered at the drupa 2016 site to hear more than a dozen vendors announce what they plan to show.

It's no secret that we're dealing with a greatly compressed printing industry as opposed to the "roaring '90s." For trade binderies, the news has been even worse. In the last few years, some of the largest trade shops in the Chicago-land, the East Coast, and more have closed their doors. But, amidst the bad news, there are trade binderies that are not only surviving, but doing well, thank you. What are their secrets?

BRAINERD, MN—Kodak and Bang Printing used a customer event this week to demonstrate the first North American installation of the Kodak Stream inkjet technology with a Timson T-Press digital inkjet web press. Kodak and Bang Printing, a book manufacturer, illustrated for customers how this combination enables greater efficiency in book production as part of their 13th annual plant tour and workshop.