Full service litho and digital print specialist ESP Digital has invested in a Horizon Hard Case Binding Preparation System from IFS to meet increased demand for hardback books.

The Horizon Hard Case Binding Preparation System enables inline short to medium run case bind book block preparation with end sheet tipping and gauze application. 



The Swindon operation’s system incorporates the ESF-1000 end sheet feeder, GF-500 gauze feeder and LBF-500 loose sheet book block feeder. It is connected to a new Horizon BQ-500 iCE Binder and HT-300 iCE Trimmer. 

Dave Woloszczynski, Head of Digital Production & Operations, comments: “Over the past six to 12 months we have seen increased demand for hardback books. Our existing capabilities were not able to keep up with the production demand. 
“Previously, our case bound book production was split across two separate machines. With the investment we’ve consolidated this process into a single, streamlined workflow.” 

As for the impact it has made he says: “Our efficiency has shot up and we have saved a lot of time. This integration not only improves production efficiency but also reduces the cost per unit for case bound books. We are producing a lot more short runs digitally and this is a more cost effective way of completing the jobs.

“With the new system we can also meet the increased demand we have been managing and have the capacity to take on new business. In fact, we have onboarded some new publishers recently and the investment has meant we have been able to service them perfectly from day one.” 

On working with IFS he states: “The support we get from IFS was a big deciding factor. We did look at other suppliers but we wanted to work with someone we were confident we could easily contact and who would provide any help if we needed it. Our team was also comfortable with running the systems which helped with installation and operation.”

Image shows: Dave Woloszczynski, with the Horizon Hard Case Binding Preparation System

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