June 18, 2003 -- Wallkill, New York — The Watchtower Society of the Jehovah’s Witnesses has ordered one of the industry’s most completely integrated hard cover book production lines for installation in a new addition to the facility that is being constructed here. Watchtower is one of the world’s leading publishers, with a staff of over 18,000 volunteers worldwide who print in more than 300 languages. The not-for-profit international organization currently runs production complexes in and around New York City, operated by 5,200 full-time volunteer workers. The Wallkill facility is located about 90 miles northwest of the city. Watchtower is changing its bookblock manufacturing process from thread sewing to adhesive binding for the first time to the new in-line integrated system in an effort to automate the production of the millions of Bibles and related hard cover books it produces annually. The challenge was to find an alternative that was more productive by eliminating multiple processes, while maintaining the high quality and durability standards for which Watchtower publications are noted. The solution is a fully integrated hard cover production system that is anchored by Muller Martini’s Corona adhesive binding system and a pair of the company’s Diamant hard cover casing-in lines. Those key components are networked into a customized combination of material handling and book manufacturing steps — from the gathering of individual signatures to the finished end product of a hard cover book. “The selection of Muller Martini for this project marks the culmination of a four-year search by the customer for the most effective hard cover solution,” says Roger P. Bilodeau, Vice President of Sales for Muller Martini Corp. “We are delighted to have been chosen as a partner in the development of Watchtower’s new facility in Wallkill with this advanced book production line.” In addition to being the lead manufacturer for the book production line, Muller Martini will serve as system supplier and integrator on the project. “We’ll not only provide the key components, we will coordinate and integrate all of the equipment creating a seamless solution for Watchtower,” Bilodeau states. The line is designed to produce Bibles and related titles at the rate of 120 books per minute with a minimum of operator intervention. Key components will include: - A 33-pocket Corona perfect binding system - A pair of Muller Martini Merit-S three-knife trimmers - A pair of Diamant casing-in systems - Six Muller Martini stackers - Two Muller Martini Cohiba automatic palletizers The line is scheduled to be installed early next year by Muller Martini for a mid-summer 2004 startup. “We intend to make this line a showcase of quality and productivity for Watchtower,” Bilodeau says.