GPS invests over £1m to bring binding in-house

GPS Colour Graphics has invested in excess of £1m in a new Heidelberg Eurobind Pro 19 clamp perfect binder and a Muller Martini Ventura MC sewing machine.

GPS owner Derek Bell said it had reached a stage where there was "no option" other than to bring binding in house.

"Our strong growth in recent years and evolving client base meant we needed binding facilities that complemented our other production capability," he said.

"We are a 24/7 printing business so it is imperative that we have the flexibility to be able to bind during the night and at weekends to meet client’s demanding schedules."

He said that six staff would be given intensive training in using the machine. GPS will bind work from its two B1 litho perfecting presses and its Xerox CP1000 digital press.

A statement from GPS said it looked at binders from three suppliers but found that the EB Pro was 50% faster than a similarly priced machine from a rival supplier, and it was more space efficient.

Heidelberg said the Eurobind Pro 19 would be "the most technically advanced perfect binder to be installed in the UK and Ireland" thanks to features such as its 3D spine glue camera, which can detect any problems before the book is bound.

Other features include a side glue nozzle application system that allows the side glue to be applied to the cover rather than the book, giving a higher level of accuracy and quality between the side glue and cover material block.

The binder, which will handle both hot melt and PUR glue, is also equipped with a criss cross delivery for book block production and is also linked to a Heidelberg ET trimmer.

The Ventura MC is due for delivery in the next couple of months while the EB Pro is in the process of being installed now.