Adverset opts for Horizon

Scarborough-based commercial printer Adverset purchased a Horizon AFC-566 folder at Drupa and has hinted that a further "significant" investment will follow in the summer.

The folder was purchased from Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) as Adverset looks to bring complex folding in-house and expand its print finishing production capabilities. 

Adverset business development manager John White said the folder will be installed at some point during the summer and added that the install will work around the delivery of an undisclosed "significant investment".

White said: “I was impressed with many things about the folder, the speed of the makeready, turnaround times, its fast-running speed and flexibility.”

The Horizon offers 17 fold patterns, which are set up via an icon-based colour LCD touchscreen. Roller gap settings are performed automatically by inserting a single sheet at the calliper. It has six buckle plates, allowing for a wide variety of fold patterns, and has steel and soft-formed polyurethane combination rollers.

It will not be a replacement but an addition to the Adverset roster of machines, which includes a Heidelberg Stahlfolder TI 52, taking sheets from a brace of two-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 52s. 

White said he hoped the new folder can lead to an increase in productivity.

He said: “It’s a fully-automated machine so it will reduce downtime significantly, so I suppose it just depends on how busy we get and how quickly."

Adverset specialises in maps, leaflets, folders and booklets for commercial use. It currently employs 25 staff and White said it was looking to increase its £1.6m sales off the back of the recent spends.