THE C.J. KREHBIEL CO. -- Binding Matters

C.J. Krehbiel officials also realized that when investing millions of dollars in a high-speed web press, they should address the need for an efficient workflow between their press and finishing operation. The answer: Install a custom press delivery system. The printer selected a press conveyor system and an Avanti bundler from Muller Martini.

"We are constantly analyzing our capacities and throughput so we can accurately meet market timing demands," notes Tuck Krehbiel. "Through this analysis and subsequent current technology study, we hooked up with Muller Martini. They provided us with this service right from the top.

"Muller Martini's upper management was involved in our research on automating and refining our perfect-bound products," he adds. "Our marketing research about the future of book publishing agreed—a trend toward more four-color perfect-bound books, with an emphasis on velocity through the plant." C.J. Krehbiel has considerable capacity for 9˝ and 11˝ perfect-bound products.

When investing in a high-speed press, it's important to establish an effective link between the press and the bindery. In an effort to design an efficient, customized workflow solution, C.J. Krehbiel selected the first Muller Martini Avanti bundler to be installed in the United States.

The bundler provides an efficient link between press and finishing operations. Products are transported from the press via an overhead conveyor system to the Avanti, allowing the press to run at full speed. The shingle stream of products are fed into the Avanti and bundled. Neatly aligned, tightly compressed and strapped bundles are less subject to damage during storage and handling, thereby reducing waste.

According to Krehbiel officials, these enhanced products now run faster and more consistently for greater output in the bindery. Bundles are loaded onto stream feeders for efficient use of labor in the bindery and to allow workers to keep pace with high-speed binders.