The postpress sector of Heidelberger Druck maschinen AG (Heidelberg) can claim not just one but two records. The 1,000th folding machine, a Stahlfolder KH 82, has been installed at the Manson Group print shop in the UK by the end of last year. The new generation of Stahlfolder TH/KH folding machines was showcased at drupa 2004. They were awarded the red dot "best of the best" design prize in the same year. The 100th Stitchmaster ST 400 saddlestitcher was sent to Austria at the end of 2003. Just two years later, the 200th Stitchmaster ST 400 is now being deployed in production at Drössler Druckweiterverarbeitung in Nuremberg. Both the folding machine and saddlestitcher received the prestigious PIA/GATF InterTech Award for technical innovation. High quality finishing is becoming increasingly important for print products as this is the final touch that makes them stand out from the crowd. Postpress products now make up over 10 percent of Heidelberg sales. Stahlfolder TH/KH - high levels of automation and integration in the workflow The modular design concept of the Stahlfolder TH/KH means various applications can be chosen to suit individual requirements. As with any modular system, the customer can decide exactly what he needs and retrofit individual components as required. TH/KH folders are suited to small and midsize print shops, industrial print shops, and finishing specialists. "The new machines from Heidelberg is about efficiency and about giving our customers greater capacity and flexibility," explains Carina Wass, Managing Director of the Manson Group. The print shop invested in a ten-color Speedmaster SM 102 with CutStar and the Stahlfolder KH 82 - the 1,000th folding machine installed by Heidelberg. Just one year ago, the Manson Group, specialists in magazine printing, ordered an eight-color Speedmaster SM 102 with CutStar, a CTP Topsetter recorder, and a Stitchmaster ST 400 saddlestitcher. "We were impressed with how easy the Stahlfolder is to use and how smoothly it integrates into our JDF workflow," states Barry Steele, also Managing Director at the Manson Group. All devices - from prepress to press and postpress - are fully networked and linked to a management information system. Stitchmaster ST 400 saddlestitcher - automatic format presetting ensures high degree of flexibility The Stitchmaster ST 400 is the world's first saddlestitcher that adapts to the product it is processing. It is equipped with integrated automatic format presetting and has mobile feeders with servo operation that ensure high levels of flexibility. With a cycle rate of 14,000 per hour, it is designed for industrial brochure production and is the world's leading saddlestitcher in this market segment. The Stitchmaster ST 400 is network-compatible and can thus be integrated into the digital workflow. Drössler Druckweiterverarbeitung in Nuremberg is deploying not just one but two Stitchmaster ST 400 saddlestitchers, one of which is the 200th of this model to be supplied. "For our high volumes, which normally run into millions, there is no alternative to the Stitchmaster ST 400," explains Tobias Drössler, who conducted extensive testing on the machine before buying. Smaller runs can also be performed fast and at high levels of quality. The company has cut setup time by around a half compared to the Stitchmaster ST 300 used previously and net output is 20-30 percent higher.