In order to stand out in producing any print run size, the book producer Freiburg Graphic Design Company (fgb) from Freiburg recently invested in two new Ventura MC thread sewing machines and a new Diamant MC Hybrid bookline. Now, the company specializes in producing high-quality small and medium-sized print runs at reasonable prices.

“We looked at exactly which bookline we wanted to invest in,” reports Rolf Kanzler, the bookbinding manager. “The top quality of the Diamant MC convinced us. We hardly waste paper anymore.” Since the machine was installed, Kanzler continues to be convinced in its daily operation. He enthusiastically explains how quickly the machine was ready after installation: “We were producing books with excellent quality only five working days after the Diamant MC was delivered.” And this continues to be the case. Since then, nothing but outstanding books has been produced with the Diamant MC.” The company offers print runs of 30 to 5,000 copies to its customers. So they often have to change formats as quickly as possible. The Diamant MC with its outstandingly short changeover times is the ideal machine for carrying out such jobs. Due to its high level of automation, the machine operator no longer has to take care of the machine settings, which are set automatically after just a few touches on the screen. Other devices, such as the double lining station, also ensure fast changeover times.

Apart from the Diamant MC, two new Ventura MC thread sewing machines were also installed. What is impressive is how easy it is to operate the machine due to its touch screen. “The Ventura MC is so much more comfortable to operate than the old machine,” Angelika Rusevljan, machine operator, exclaims happily. Besides, the thread sewing for hardcover and softcover books, fgb also offers perfect binding for books and brochures. The book blocks and brochures are produced on a Bolero perfect binder from Muller Martini. This range of high-quality processing for small print runs works very well for publishing houses.

fgb and its predecessor, Herder-Druck, has been producing books since 1808, from pre-press to binding, all from one source. In 1974, fgb became an independent company within the Herder Group. With four sheet-fed offset printing presses, including a four-colour machine and a five-colour machine, fgb has specialized in producing books in short and medium-sized print runs for years now. In order to keep up with the latest technology, the innovative company invested in a digital printing press, new thread sewing machines and a Diamant MC Hybrid.

Leading open source solution ‘MX-CRM On Demand’ is now available on cloud. For single/multiple companies with multiple locations/branches, New Delhi-based ACG Infotech Limited is offering ‘on-demand’ with ‘cloud hosting’ sales and service management software ‘MX-CRM 5.0’. With over 15+ Modules ‘MX- CRM On Demand’ helps effectively manage your business activities, including sales, marketing, customer service, and inventory. Various benefits that the users will immediately get from MX-CRM implementation include: increased revenue and profits, improved capture of sales leads, flexibility through scalability, improved customer service, increased cross-selling and up-selling opportunities for existing customers, accessible decision-driving information, and improved customer profiling and target marketing.

Wuhan JinGang, the largest commercial printing company in Hubei Province, China, recently installed a Kodak Trendsetter 800 platesetter, marking a significant milestone for Kodak as it is the company’s 15,000th thermal computer-to-plate (CtP) device installation to date. Kodak was the first company to commercialize thermal CtP in 1995, and has since continued to develop new technologies that make these devices faster, more automated, and more sustainable. Thermal CtP devices enable printers to image press-ready thermal printing plates directly from computer files.

Wuhan JinGang installed the 34 plate-per-hour, V-speed Kodak Trendsetter 800 platesetter with autoloader, which is a thermal 8-page CtP device offering outstanding image quality, stability, and maximum efficiency with advanced automation. In addition, Wuhan JinGang is also contracted to purchase Kodak thermal plates, Prinergy Connect workflow, Kodak MatchPrint inkjet proofing system.

Established in 1955, Kochi-based Maya Printers continues their journey upgrading their facility with efficient technologies from leading brands, including Heidelberg and Polar. Ventured into the printing field with the traditional letterpress and operating with two single-colour presses and two refurbished offset presses (two-colour and four-colour) over the years, Maya Printers went in for a major revamp of their facility by investing in a brand new Heidelberg PM 74 four-colour press. And recently they have added a brand new Polar 92 X programmable cutter. Presently, under the astute guidance of PS Prasad (director), his wife, younger brother Ajay Kumar and Ajay’s wife, the company caters to commercial and packaging printing segments with 80:20 business ratio respectively.

“Heidelberg presses are highly productive, with consistent quality throughout the print run. The new Heidelberg PM 74 format press has increased our profitability by about 20 percent - by enhancing productivity; reducing wastage and improving quality,” says Prasad, adding, “Heidelberg’s service support is exemplary, from the date of inception. Once the service call is registered with the company, the problem is resolved within 24 hours. Two of our operators have also been trained at their Print Media Academy in Chennai.”

Maya Printers also houses a full-fledged post press department which includes folding, six-clamp perfect binding and lamination machines & POLAR 92X programmable cutter. In prepress segment, they have a Suprasetter A75 CtP with interface software from Heidelberg.

Prasad is optimistic about the Kerala print market. Due to the upcoming Smart City and India’s largest container terminal, Prasad expects new printing applications to develop and result in higher print demand. With a targeted growth of 15-20 percent year on year, he expects to increase the turnover to more than Rs 10 crores. “We will invest in new technologies and update our existing setup as the demand and market unfold over the years,” says Prasad, as Maya Printers heads for greater success.

Offering quality coupled with competitive pricing, Maya Printers has maintained over 50 repeat customers, besides others. “It’s our production quality and timely delivery at a reasonable cost, which beats those with used-machine operations and helps us retain customers,” emphasizes Prasad, “We are able to achieve this by keeping constant control on production, resulting in more productivity and less overheads. That’s the secret behind our cost being lesser.” With a single person managing marketing for Maya Printers in the whole of Kerala, the company has been able to export to Australia and the Middle East.