According to Curries, the Stitchliner 5500 combines four existing Horizon products, the VAC-Turbo PowerCollator, ACF-30 accumulator/folder, the SPF-30 saddlestitcher and the HTS-30 three-knife trimmer, which are connected together in a space-conscious U-shape. Working together, the system is capable of producing 5500 booklets per hour, making it ideal for the short-to medium-sized runs handled by Bayfield Printing.

For Bayfield, this installation has enabled to create a more automated finishing workflow, removing the need to perform the various processes on separate machines as was done until very recently. According to Tom Hayward, Bayfield Printing owner and director, this has created a number of significant advantages for his company.

“We installed the Horizon just before Christmas, so you could say that it is still impacting us. It certainly speeds up our booklet and magazine production, that’s for sure. We’re at the low season of work at the moment, but when we get flat to the board again, it will really be beneficial,” says Hayward.

“I saw it down at Sydney at PrintEx and it looked very good. I believe it is better to buy now and grow into it than to wait for two years when it’s too late and you are already over-capacity.”

Hayward says that he is a big fan of Horizon gear, and that while that may have had some bearing on his decision to stick to a tried and tested manufacturer, the Stitchliner proved itself to him on its own merits.

“I have always liked Horizon gear. It suits our business and I knew it would fit right in. I wouldn’t buy something unless I knew I would be happy with it,” says Hayward.

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