Bridgeport National Bindery Relies on Xeikon for Print-on-Demand Business

ITASCA, IL—February 28, 2014—Xeikon NV, an innovator in digital color printing technology, works with Agawam, MA-based Bridgeport National Bindery to produce a wide variety of products for its custom printing and binding business.

As the modern descendant of two companies founded in the late 1800's, Bridgeport National Bindery knows a thing or two about making customers happy. Its continued growth and success stem from the customer service philosophy of the company's early leader, Magnus Larsen. The company motto, "Bound to Last," has served as the touchstone for the entire team throughout the years. Furthermore, they have helped improve competition in the binding market where, in recent years, many libraries have found themselves with fewer binding options as mergers and the economic downturn have taken their toll. Bridgeport National Bindery is committed to making sure all libraries—large or small—have a choice in binding and preservation services.

Bridgeport National Bindery's expansion in the print-on-demand business and growing geographical market area, with customers spread across the country, means it needs printing technology that can keep up. The company has relied on Xeikon technology in its plant since 1997. Starting with a 13" wide web machine, which was used to produce full-color covers, the company later upgraded to a 20" web. Print-on-demand customers rely on the company primarily to print book covers, as well as other larger-format items like inserts for books, calendars, maps and posters. Over the years, Bridgeport has migrated from primarily case-bound products to the current market where some 70 percent of current production is softcover and mechanical-bound books.

Xeikon has been its partner of choice due to the flexibility of its solutions and its commitment to continual quality improvement over the years. Bruce Jacobsen, executive vice president of Bridgeport National Bindery said: "The quality the Xeikon provides is very good, and has even gotten better over the years. The latest iteration of our Xeikon press delivers high resolution (1,200 dpi) without loss of speed. The color management on the latest press is better than ever, as is the consistency. And their flexibility gives us the options we need to serve our customers."

Michael V. Ring, president of Xeikon America, also added: "Bridgeport National Bindery is a prime example of a company that has evolved and adapted with the changing market conditions without losing sight of its founding principles and its core value-proposition. We are pleased to be their partner of choice and wish them continued success."

About Xeikon
Xeikon is an innovator in digital printing technology. The company designs, develops and delivers web-fed digital color presses for labels and packaging applications, document printing, as well as commercial printing. These presses utilize LED-array-based dry toner electrophotography, open workflow software and application-specific toners.

As an OEM supplier, Xeikon designs and produces platemakers for newspaper offset printing applications.

Xeikon also manufactures basysPrint computer-to-plate (CtP) solutions for the commercial printing market. These proven CtP systems combine the latest exposure techniques with cost-efficient UV plate technology, high imaging quality and flexibility.

For the flexographic market, Xeikon offers digital platemaking systems under the ThermoFlexX brand name. ThermoFlexX systems provide high-resolution plate exposure including screening, color management, as well as workflow management.

All the Xeikon solutions are designed with the overarching principles of profitability, quality, flexibility and sustainability in mind. With these guiding principles and a deep, intimate knowledge of its customers, Xeikon continues to be one of the industry's leading innovators of products and solutions.

Source: Xeikon.