October 26th, 2008 - Three months after bringing a new Goss web press into production, McCormick-Armstrong is working hard at cutting waste and makeready times, shifting some work from its sheetfed platform, and winning jobs for which it did not previously compete.

The third-generation family owned business is using the automated five-unit M-600 press for a variety of printing projects ranging from very short runs to extremely long runs according to vice president of operations Doug Tompkins. The company is based in Wichita, Kansas and specializes in direct mail and general commercial printing.

"From advertising supplements to the highest quality catalogs and annual reports, we are finding that there is almost nothing the M-600 press can't do," Tompkins reports.

Features including Autoplate technology, automated presetting, closed-loop control and digital workflow integration are the most impressive advantages of the press system, according to Tompkins. "Reductions in time and waste have allowed us to get more competitive with our estimating for a wider range of work, and this is resulting in new business," he explains.

Print quality and makeready efficiency have also prompted McCormick-Armstrong to move some jobs from its sheetfed presses to the M-600 system, allowing faster turnaround times and lower costs.

Support has been vital
The new M-600 press system at McCormick-Armstrong is equipped with a Goss Contiweb CS splicer and an Ecocool dryer, along with the Autoplate fully automatic plate changing technology. A JF-55 combination folder includes automated changeover capabilities and a module to produce 4- and 8-page magazine signatures. The press is also equipped with a sheeter for added versatility.

Tompkins says installation and start-up exceeded expectations, and that support from Goss International has been instrumental. "We realized quickly that they have deep and diverse resources which we can call on, not just for engineering support or operator training, but for consultation on issues ranging from prepress integration, to auxiliaries, to how we can better sell the capabilities of the press to our customers."

Crews from McCormick-Armstrong attended operator and maintenance training programs at the Goss International facility in New Hampshire prior to the press installation.

"Our operators are very experienced, but we knew the more automated M-600 press technology would present new challenges," Tompkins says. "The Goss International team is very supportive and collaborative in its approach, and this helped our crews in the transition from an older press."

Several investment alternatives considered
McCormick-Armstrong provides a complete range of commercial printing services including heatset web and sheetfed production. The company conducted an in-depth analysis of new as well as used press investment options before deciding in favor of the new M-600 system.

"We gave serious consideration to a used press," Tompkins explains. "Our research, however, made it clear that older technology could only give us more of what we already had and not the automation and competitive advantages we needed to move forward."

"We also looked closely at several suppliers and felt that Goss International offered the highest level of performance, value and support," he adds. "They understand how vital their responsiveness is to our success, and the performance of the press has validated our investment decision."