Muller Martini systems have been used at the Johannes Gutenberg School in Stuttgart for a long time. Several decades ago, the young ‘Gutenbergs’ learned by using a Rotorbinder RB 5, a Junior saddle stitcher and a book sewing machine operated by a foot pedal, all from the Swiss machine manufacturer. A Bolero perfect binder is the most recent addition to the modern training facilities, which offer the latest in finishing technology with Muller Martini’s BravoPlus saddle stitcher commissioned in 2005 and a Venture book sewing machine commissioned in 2008.


From left: Fritz Gödan (senior technical instructor of the school), Ulrich Grossmann (mechanical service engineer at Muller Martini Germany), Peter Stein (Sales Manager at Muller Martini Germany) and Andreas Hack (technical instructor) in front of the new Bolero perfect binder at the Johannes Gutenberg School in Stuttgart.

Coming Soon: Connection with Connex
“Not only must we provide our students with the highest quality in our production machinery, but we must also be able to show them the wide range of production options available today,” emphasizes Fritz Gödan. For Gödan, who has been working as a senior technical instructor of bookbinding, print finishing and manual binding technology for 25 years, the new Bolero meets both criteria. With hotmelt/cold emulsion binding, mull feeder, drum cover feeder, two pressing devices and a BDC book measurement device, the Bolero configuration covers almost all elements of the Johannes Gutenberg School’s current perfect binding line.

In addition to the BravoPlus saddle stitcher and various other machines, the school also plans to integrate the Bolero machines into its workflow system using the Connex system from Muller Martini. “The topic of networking is becoming more important at our school as well”, adds Andreas Hack, technical instructor of the bookbinding department.

The unaltered great interest in the renowned school in Stuttgart is testimony that the graphic arts industry has not lost its luster. The school offers a two-year, full-time program in printing technology, a one-year, full-time  program for digital and print media specialists as well as a one-year, full-time vocational program and a three-year, parallel vocational program. “Our programs, of course, emphasize the importance of practical work with the machines,” says Fritz Gödan, “as we aim to cover the entire spectrum of the printing profession.” According to Gödan, fortunately almost all graduates are able to find a position at graphic arts companies after successful completion of their program.