KBR Graphics Canada, a major supplier of printing equipment throughout Ontario and Quebec, has installed a new Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 digital saddlestitcher at Webcom, a Toronto-based offset and digital book printer.
 
The addition of the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 digital saddlestitcher is part of an overall new production program at Webcom started in September 2010 called BookFWD. The $12 million investment program began with the installation of HP Inkjet Web Press printing technology anchored by the installation of the HP T300 Inkjet Web Press, which is being used for printing text pages and coupled with the previously-installed HP Indigo 7000 for producing covers. These core presses are complemented by investments in additional technology and finishing equipment, such as the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000.
 
"We purchased the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 as an extension of our digital technology investments," says Webcom president Mike Collinge. "As we upgraded into inkjet and digital equipment for a complete bindery solution, we believe the StitchLiner gives us a seamless and efficient tool to provide small short-run quantities of versioned and customized products while reducing cycle time and providing fast throughput for digital print. In addition, it allows us the ability to improve our quality control and job reporting to our customers. Finally, we were impressed with the quality of the entire Standard Horizon team including their expert training and technology."
 
By investing in the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 and other key equipment, Webcom's BookFWD program will be able to reduce the costs associated with printed books, including inventory, distribution and production, explains Collinge. "The common theme across each piece of equipment is revolutionary technology that integrates the workflow for a highly streamlined and automated process. This powerful combination is remarkable for its efficiency and its overall technological advancement of the printing industry. Savings to the environment run deep with reduced waste, VOC emissions and energy consumption for overall book production."
 
Webcom's BookFWD program is comprised of several models specifically designed to help trade, educational and reference publishers overcome their most pressing business challenges. Programs are customized for each publisher making the most of modules such as STEPfwd for shorter print runs, FASTfwd for quick turnaround and STRAIGHTfwd for simplified pricing models. Each application is integrated with a BALANCEfwd value solution that addresses workflow, longer print runs, online complements and environmental impact.
 
Introduced in 2010, the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 Digital is capable of running as a continuous-feed saddlestitching solution for the digital print market producing up to 6,000 booklets per hour in-line with continuous feed printers or near line and/or off-line. It offers in-line cover feeding and non-stop booklet production on a range of paper stocks at up to 600 feet per minute. Variable sheet-count booklets can be produced using barcode scanning and/or mark reading. The system features icon-based color touch screen control and fully automated set-up. The unit can be integrated with both the Hunkeler's UW6 unwinder and CS6 rotary cutter along with the Horizon HSF-30 cut sheet feeder for both near-line & off-line production.
 
"We are pleased to work closely with Webcom and add a key piece of equipment to its revolutionary new BookFWD program," says Karl Belafi Jr., vice president of sales and marketing at KBR Graphics. "The new Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 is a perfect complement to the entire digital printing capabilities."
 
For more than 30 years, Webcom has been a forward-thinking book printer offering innovative programs to address the challenges of high inventory and production costs, customized for publishers of books, catalogs and directories across North America. Programs are integrated through advanced workflow technology and automation of leading-edge inkjet web press, conventional offset presses and the latest bindery systems. As an award-winning leader in the area of environmental responsible production, Webcom has strict policies in place to reduce the impact of paper usage, emissions and energy consumption.
 
With a tradition spanning over 34 years of dedicated sales and service support to the printing industry, KBR Graphics has evolved as a major supplier to the printing industry covering the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. The company offers a wide spectrum of graphic arts equipment including major manufacturers such as KBA Offset Presses, MGI Digital Presses, Standard Horizon Finishing Systems, Perfecta Paper Guillotines, Baumann Paper Handling, Esko Art Work, Busch Paper Handling, Graphic Whizard and Challenge. KBR Graphics has locations in both Toronto and Montreal.