INDIANAPOLIS, IN – As part of its continuing dedication to producing superior projects for customers, HardingPoorman Group has added five new pieces of quality assurance equipment and hired a full-time Quality and Continual Improvement Manager.

The new equipment includes:  A pre-press file validation system that compares an approved electronic file to the processed file, hard copy proofs and a press sheet.

• The pharmaceutical folder camera verification system detects potential improper sheet back-ups, page orientation, or blank pages.
• Using a pair of high-resolution cameras, the inserter match mail/verification system assures that a letter or insert properly matches the pre-addressed envelope in a mailing job. The system will find mismatches, potential doubles and missing records.
• The inkjet verification system confirms that every record in a file has been imaged, while a camera at the end of the line double-checks that all records are present and that bar codes are readable.
• The saddle stitching machine's signature recognition system prevents pages from being duplicated or placed out of order when pulling them from a feeder and stapling them together to form a booklet. A camera scans a unique ID on each section of pages (aka signature), and the software verifies that all pages are present and in the correct order. The machine automatically discards any defective copies and shuts down if bad copies are produced.

In addition to these new systems, Don Curtis has joined HardingPoorman Group as a full-time Quality and Continual Improvement Manager. The longtime printing and graphics executive with Pratt Corporation and his own company, Good News Communication, was an early adopter of total quality improvement methods for the printing industry. Curtis is a leading advocate of the methods used by Dr. W. Edwards Deming, who is regarded as helping Japan transform into a superpower in the post-World War II era by improving its product quality.

"While HardingPoorman Group has always prided itself on doing great work, these new systems and Don's insights and experience will assure us of the highest levels of quality," said President/CEO David Harding. "Our customers will know they are getting the best commercial graphics and mailing services available."