Duplo has noted an increase in demand for books produced in the UK time and costs. The latest is the cloud-based iCE LiNK workflow, which provides access to an intuitive dashboard that reports real-time production analysis for improved efficiency and profitability, remote update capabilities, and scheduled maintenance resulting in less downtime. Among the new systems leveraging the technology is the Horizon BQ-500 four clamp perfect binder which is the latest evolution of Horizon’s series of four clamp binders. According to Keane, the Horizon BQ-500 supports a broader range of run lengths thanks to features such as more highly automated set up via a large colour touchscreen, 21 automated sections from cycle and milling speed to roller height and guide positioning, memory storage of up to 999 jobs, pre-installed variable software capability, and variable thickness production of 5mm up to 800bph. “With a sharper focus on social distancing and reduced operator touchpoints the Horizon BQ-500 has a number of new design features that aid easy operation,” Keane says, adding: “They include a status light that indicates, at a distance, how the binder is running, and an ergonomic design where all the operator required actions are on the same side.” Affordable investment Meanwhile, Duplo also champions taking binding work in-house to maximise profits and give the PSP greater control. Zunaid Rahman, UK marketing manager for Duplo UK, says bringing binding work in-house may not be as expensive as printers first think. “Depending on how much of the business farms out bindery work, a printer could pay for one of our binders in a matter of months,” Rahman says, adding: “With a lot of the UK print market being consolidated, it adds value to printers to be able to bind their customers’ jobs in-house with speed and efficiency but with high quality at the forefront. “With Duplo binders especially, bringing binding in-house lowers costs because our machines are easy to use and to set up, printers do not need professional or dedicated bindery staff to operate the machines to get high-quality results. Of course, knowledge of print is key, but the intuitive nature of the equipment lends itself to a lower level of skill needed to operate them.” Rahman went on to say that Duplo has noted an increase in demand for books produced in the UK, and PSPs should look to invest in kit that can deliver such applications. Duplo’s range of EVA binders includes the DB-290 and the DPB-500, while the PUR binders collection includes the PFI BIND 6000 PUR and DUO along with the PFi BIND 2100 PUR. Duplo also distributes the desktop perfect binders from Powis Parker, the Fastback 9 and Fastback 20. “Printers need to look to low cost, automatic machines that can handle different jobs without significant impacts on both their workforce and their production workflow,” Rahman explains, adding: “So, the call for fast short-run production has never been so loud – enter the versatile short-run PUR and EVA binders from Duplo.” Offering examples of this kit in action, Rahman picks out two customers that have benefitted from investment from Duplo. GP Print took on a Duplo DPB-290 to bring PUR binding in-house and allow it to take on more work. “The Duplo DPB-290 stood out as a simple enough machine but we wanted something alongside the quality of the PUR that our customers had become accustomed to,” GP Print director Peter Martyr says, adding: “After seeing samples of the binding, we jumped at the chance to grab one. Obviously with previous findings of perfect binding equipment the production staff were reluctant to have another machine, but their fears were quickly squashed on seeing the simplicity of the machine. “The machine is priced really well and it made perfect sense to us, with extremely easy set up and running we use the machine happily in our normal production routines.” Elsewhere, Doveton Press invested in a DPB-500 in 2021 to speed up print production, as the company’s operations director Mark Savage explains: “The binder is running a new generation hot melt adhesive which has greater flexibility than established hot melts and can be handled the same day. We can bind in the morning, and trim, pack, and deliver the same afternoon.” While taking binding in-house will require some initial investment, it is clear from speaking to manufacturers that this is a price PSPs should be willing to pay to enjoy the long-term benefits of greater control and increased profit. January / February 2023 39 The new Morgana BM4000 Series of bookletmakers was introduced at The Print Show 2022 Factoid Doveton Press praised the impact of its DPB-500 from Duplo
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