Catton Print boosts finishing capability with Horizon install

Catton Print has invested in a new Horizon stitch-fold-trim line, supplied by UK distributor Intelligent Finishing Systems, after seeing the kit in operation at Ipex 2014.

The Norwich-based commercial printer opted for a Horizon SPF/FC-200A to replace its old SPF10 after exploring a range of options from different suppliers at the Excel show.

Catton Print managing director Simon Laskey said that the new stitch-fold-trim line, which was installed around six weeks ago, had enabled the firm to produce a wider range of smaller formats, including A6 portrait and A5 landscape booklets.

"We do a lot of that type of work seasonally and now we can meet that peak in demand more effectively," he added. "There are not many trade finishers that can offer A6 booklets up to 80 pages."

The ability to go up to a maximum of 80pp is the result of Catton Print opting for two 10-station VAC-Turbo 1000 PowerCollators with its new line, versus a single collator on its old SPF10.

Laskey said: "The two collators have made a real impact. We had one job, twice a month, that we had to put through our single collator twice taking up to eight hours. Now we can do it in just two."

Catton Print has already been able to produce a job in-house (25,000 copies of a 64pp DL format booklet) that it would previously have had to outsource as a result of its additional collator.

Another benefit of the 4,500bph JDF-enabled Horizon SPF/FC-200A is its 200-job memory storage and icon-based touchscreen job set-up, which has helped increase productivity at the six-staff business.

Laskey said: "We have a lot of repeat newsletter work and this often is at the end of the month. That was previously a pressure point for us but not now. We can take on extra work too."

The installation completes a £100,000 spend in the past 12 months, including a Uchida Aerocut Quatro business card cutter and a Konica Minolta Bizhub C6000.