Finishing & Screen Printing
L. Brown and Sons Comes Out (Way) Ahead with Automation by Heidelberg
Wednesday 03. November 2010 - L. Brown and Sons Printing in Barre, Vt. recently took delivery of a fully automated, continuous-feed Stahlfolder TH 82 with Level 3 automation, as well as a 6-color Speedmaster CD 74 perfector. According to company president Larry Brown, installation was complicated by an extensive public works reconstruction project directly in front of the L. Brown facility, including excavation of the pavement, and electrical, water, and sewer line replacement.
To complicate matters further, both machines had to be installed on the second floor of the L. Brown facility, a process that called for creative rigging and the special expertise of skilled Heidelberg technicians. The new press and folder now sit alongside a POLAR cutting system and assorted smaller presses and bindery equipment.
“It could have been a logistical nightmare, but it all came together as a result of cooperation between our company and the City of Barre, as well to the competence and coordination displayed by our riggers and our Heidelberg technicians. It would be impossible to overstate how happy we were with the results. Even under the most trying conditions, Heidelberg personnel never let us down.” Just seven days post-installation, the new press already was running a 200,000-sheet job on 80-lb. dull text, 2/2 at the full-rated speed, with the new folder following suit. “The performance of both machines is just astounding,” Brown said.
L. Browns decision to acquire the TH 82 folder and CD 74 represent the next step in the companys move to automate and network as many of its operations as possible via Heidelbergs comprehensive Prinect workflow. The most recent upgrade saw the addition of Heidelbergs Prinect Prinance MIS. On the equipment side, said Brown, the new folder shortly will receive a new stacker and banding unit. The companys next acquisition is likely to be an ST 450 saddlestitcher, followed by a second 29″ Heidelberg perfecting press. The company uses the complete line of Saphira products for all its consumable needs.
With 25 full-time and up to 20 temporary workers on staff, L. Brown and Sons describes itself as a general commercial printer with heavy concentrations in high-end publication printing and printing for nonprofit, healthcare and educational organizations in the Northeast, as well as in packaging. The company also houses the largest on-demand book printing operation in the state.