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

As part of its bindery upgrade, C.J. Krehbiel also selected a Corona perfect binding line from Muller Martini to replace a Modular binder. Designed for high-volume production of books, manuals, directories, magazines and catalogs, the Corona is Muller Martini's top-of-the-line perfect binder. It features the Commander Central Control System, which enables computer-aided makeready in less than 15 minutes. Automated loading of the binder is achieved with stream feeders, which handle the bundles created on the Avanti bundler.

Finishing the Job
After trimming on a Zenith-S three-knife trimmer, finished books are conveyed to a Muller Martini book stacker. A cartoning machine packages the stacks and the cartons are automatically palletized on a Cohiba palletizer. A Universo stacker is used to stack book blocks when the line is used to gather books for sewing.

Executives at C.J. Krehbiel realize that as the available work force shrinks, their labor costs will continue to increase. The combination of the Avanti bundler at the press and the Corona perfect binder, with its computerization for automatic make-ready and automated loading options, now results in dramatic labor savings. Their press can run at higher speeds and the bindery output is optimized.

Since C.J. Krehbiel is not providing in-house UV coating, it is also running a GBC Genesis 8332 film laminator for its cover work. "We're promoting film laminates and are finding that it's more durable and less prone to cracking and flaking," notes Rob Krehbiel.

Whether the need is for books, catalogs, manuals or specialty products, the C.J. Krehbiel Co. delivers a printed product completely manufactured in-house—from prepress through printing to the bindery. This flexibility increases efficiency, allowing the company to get high-quality books, catalogs and directories "out the door" to readers quickly and at the lowest cost.

Even so, is Rob Krehbiel worried about the impact of the Internet on his company's business? "My initial concern was that some of our catalog business might dry up," he admits. "So far, though, the Web has been a help to our business, rather than a cause for concern. We've also seen strong growth in computer-related software manuals. But, as far as projecting five, even 10, years out, I wish I had a crystal ball.