The company’s finishing capabilities are anchored by two Heidelberg Stitchmaster saddlestitichers; an ST 250 installed in 2000, and an ST 300 installed in 2001. Les Baddock & Sons also operates a Polar cutting system with automatic unloading, two Stahlfolders and has recently installed a Stahlfolder Flexomailer.
Started by Les Baddock in 1918 the company has grown and acquired several smaller operators over the years. It now operates out of two factories in Lewisham in Sydney’s inner west. Second generation Ron Baddock, who recently turned 88, still has an active involvement with the company which services customers throughout Sydney, as well as the central, northern coasts and the Hunter Valley.
Production Manager Bob Moxon says the key to the company’s success has been its long-term relationship with Heidelberg. “We have been using Heidelberg equipment for an extremely long time and are consistently pleased by the high speed and quick turnover of jobs we are able to achieve,” he says.
Moxon says the ST 250 and ST 300 really “come into their own” with high volume work. “We finish some very long book runs and the ability to just set the saddlestichers and let them run without a hitch is invaluable.”
He also praises the flexibility of the system “we can run a single job then a two-up run straight after each other with minimal changeover time. As customers keep pushing deadlines, time savings like these really add-up.”
The ST 250 and ST 300 are professional saddlestitchers ideal for medium to large runs. The systems are easy to operate, feature fast make ready and can handle virtually an unlimited range of jobs.
The addition of the Stahlfolder Flexomailer has enabled Les Baddock & Sons to expand its offer to customers. “Mailing work was previously outsourced, but as demand for this type of job increased we realised that it would be more viable and we could achieve better quality results, if we completed the work in-house.”
The Stahlfolder Flexomailer produces ready-to-send mailings with a perforated, glued section for customers to complete and return.
To keep the equipment in mint condition Les Baddock & Sons has a service agreement with Heidelberg for regular maintenance “which has nearly eliminated breakdown & downtime.”
“As a trade house we have to be able to finish an extremely wide array of work always with the utmost quality and speed. The reliability and flexibility of the Heidelberg equipment ensures that these standards are maintained,” says Moxon.
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