The Magazine Printing Company installs UK’s first Stahlfolder CH 66

The Magazine Printing Company has become the first firm in the UK to invest in a Stahlfolder CH 66.

The Enfield-based business bought the new combination folder, which will be installed at its premises in the middle of August, to replace its existing Shoei Star, which will be scrapped.

“We’ve already got a Stahlfolder KH 56 which we bought 18 months ago and that’s been excellent. It’s been a vast improvement with good quality and service and it’s very reliable,” said director of operation Glyn Bengree.

The company, which employs 45 staff and has a turnover of £6m, also runs three Heidelberg SM 74 eight-colour B2 presses and a SM 74 five-colour UV varnishing press for cover work.

“We also looked at some MBO folders but the Stahl won through in the end. It was a close decision but as we run other Heidelberg presses and folders it keeps everything neat, tidy and consistent,” said Bengree.

The company produces more than 300 magazine titles with run lengths ranging from 200 to 20,000, with an average of 4,600.

“Our work is varied. Most of our clients are small independent publishers and the majority of those are single title publishers although we do have some that have multiple titles. We print a lot of wedding and motor trade magazines,” said Bengree.

The CH 66 can handle sheets of 660x1,040mm and can run parallel fold work at up to 200m/minute. The modular and automated folder has MCT Control Technology and the Magazine Printing Company’s model includes a pallet feeder, which will allow the firm to take work straight off the press.