Diamond boosts binding flexibility with Kolbus spend

Trade finisher Diamond Print Services has installed a new Kolbus KM600 Binder, part of a £1m 12 month investment programme.

The KM600 is linked to a ZU832 Gatherer and HD143 Trimmer and replaced an older Kolbus binding line.

The new line features the Kolbus 3*60 internet based technical support system, which feeds live information on all the machine functions, enabling Diamond to monitor performance and diagnose faults with the aid of Kolbus technicians, who are available 24/7.

The system also enables them to view operator and spare parts manuals and to receive software updates automatically.

Diamond Print Services director Neil Armitage said that to maintain top product quality and guarantee reliability, it was important to keep up with the latest technology in the bindery.

"For example we are now seeing a steady trend towards more short-run work so the quicker and easier make-ready on this new line is particularly important," he said.

"Being able to achieve the installation of this new line with a total spend of less than £800,000 was an added bonus."

Peter Wight, another director, told PrintWeek that as well as purchasing the binder, Diamond had also recently sold some old sewing kit and replaced it with a refurbished Muller Martini Inventa II. He said the company had also bought an additional guillotine and a folder and reconfigured its facilities with the help of Muller Martini's MM relocate service.

"One of the reasons we bought the binder was because it had a smaller footprint," he said. "It allows us to become more efficient. We have also moved some other kit around and now everything is in one site rather than two," said Wight.

Overall, Wight said Diamond Print Solutions had spent more than £1m on new kit over the last year.