Milton, Wis., Dec. 12, 2006 - Freedom Graphic Systems, Inc., a direct mail printer supplying printed/imaged products and complete lettershop operations to the direct mail market, has installed 15 BBH 400 inserters in its facilities in Aurora, Ill., Ontario, Calif., and Dallas. The heavy-duty BBH 400 inserters from B÷WE BELL + HOWELL can process even the most complex direct mail and lettershop products efficiently and effectively at speeds up to 20,000 cycles per hour. Freedom Graphic Systems was formed in 1986 and maintains its corporate offices in Milton, Wis. Through a series of acquisitions starting in the 1990s and continuing through 2005, the company acquired operations inIllinois, California and Texas. Freedom now offers a full complement of services, including data processing, printing, inkjet/laser imaging, in-line/off-line finishing and full-service lettershop capabilities. According to Bill Sloyan, vice president of special projects, Freedom bought the mail inserters to increase capacity and efficiencies. "We were looking for equipment with a good productivity-to-labor ratio and ease of operation," said Sloyan. "The whole plan was to help meet the ever-increasing turnaround times of our current and future customers. We worked closely with our B÷WE BELL + HOWELL account executive, Jack Hester, on the evaluation and installation of this high-speed solution." With the new inserters now in place - 10 in Illinois, three in California and two in Texas - Sloyan reports that productivity has improved while labor costs are being reduced. Freedom realized initial savings of approximately 35 percent in labor savings, with an ultimate goal of 75 percent to 80 percent savings. The new BBH 400 inserters replaced old equipment, providing the capacity of three of Freedom's old inserters while occupying the square-footage equivalent of two of their old machines. Designed for 24/7 operation, the BBH 400 inserters can easily handle a wide range of products, such as light buck slips, inserts, booklets, brochures, plastic cards and pre-folded letters with attached cards. A variety of feeder options are available, from the standard double-gripper rotary feeder to shuttle feeders, friction feeders, pick and place feeders and card feeders. The inserter's unique and proven "flap up" inserting design allows for high production speeds and unsurpassed net throughput. The modular design of the BBH 400 allows for customization and expansion as needed, ensuring that the system can grow along with a company's needs. "I believe our growing relationship with B÷WE BELL + HOWELL and the quality of products they provide will allow us to service the growing needs of our customers," added Sloyan.