Pureprint has upgraded its finishing capacity with an additional Muller Martini perfect binder, MBO folder and Renz AP360 auto punch and wire binder. It is also introducing sewn sections and layflat binding to its main Uckfield site for the first time.
The bulk of the investment is an Alegro A7 perfect binder with 12 feeding stations, capable of running both hot melt and PUR adhesives. The company also has a 14-hopper Acoro binder from Muller Martini and two Horizon BQ470 PUR perfect binders, though these are in its digital print operation, housed in a separate building on the same Uckfield industrial estate. It has also installed a Polar 137 as an additional guillotine.
The arrival of a Meccanotecnica Astronic 180 sewing line and Kisun lay flat binder answer a growing need from design focused clients, particularly from galleries as well as for photo and children’s books. These will complement the value added finishing department, which offers spot UV varnish, foiling, die cutting and embossing.
The higher speed of the Alegro increases demand for folded sections, hence installation of the K8 folder, says manufacturing director Craig Berresford. “Bringing in these new machines and all the new kit together means we have increased capacity, which translates into larger runs and being able to be more flexible for our clients,” he says.
The Alegro was previously installed at Taylor Bloxham, operating there for little more than two years before the Leicester business closed down. It arrives with the expectation that trading for Pureprint will improve as the pandemic eases next year.
CEO Mark Handford says: “We continue to invest so that we are ready when demand will inevitably increase, enabling us to support our client’s requirements. We have seen businesses using beautiful print and clever direct mail campaigns to help drive demand. Increasing our finishing kit in house makes our business even more flexible and able to service our client’s requirements.”
The installations have been completed over recent months. Pureprint wanted to unveil the full programme of spending on finishing at the same time when everything was in place. The investment will enable the company to keep more work inhouse and meet demands for faster turnarounds on shorter production runs.
