Stratos Haidemenos (middle) runs the family business, founded in 1976, in the second generation. On the right Peter Papadimitriou (Managing Director of the Greek Muller Martini agent, Omnicom), left Peter Lehmann (Sales Manager Saddle Stitching Muller Martini Switzerland).

Haidemenos is not only the largest commercial printing house in the country, it is also viewed as pioneer in respect to production machinery in the graphic arts industry in Greece. The company, founded in 1976 by the current Chairman of the Board of Directors, George Haidemenos, invested in the first large-size printing press for poster printing, the first computer-to-plate system for all of the printing presses, as well as the only PrimaPlus saddle stitcher in Greece. Only a few months ago the worldwide first Listo stacker was commissioned, which was presented to the public for the first time by Muller Martini at drupa '08.

The Very First Job an Acid Test
In its three plants in the greater Athens area Haidemenos has trusted for years in press delivery and saddle stitching systems from Muller Martini. In 1998 – also a Greek debut – an Avanti log stacker was installed after a printing press.

At the plant which opened in 2006 – the most recent and the most modern in Greece – there are also two Avanti log stackers in production. In addition, Haidemenos installed a high performance Preciso rotary trimmer together with the Listo. “After commissioning a new 72-page Lithoman (the only one in Greece) we also needed a high performance press delivery system”, explains Managing Director Stratos Haidemenos about why the investment choice went to Preciso and Listo. According to Stratos Haidemenos the choice went to Listo, "because we saw Muller Martini stackers in action at various printing plants and were very impressed."

The very first in-line job became the “acid test” for the two new systems: Haidemenos produced a 32-page commercial job with a run of 1.5 million copies.

The very first in-line job became the acid test for the Preciso and Listo.

More Flexibility with the PrimaPlus
A few months before the Preciso and Listo, Haidemenos commissioned in its newest plant also a new PrimaPlus saddle stitcher with eight flat pile feeders, cover feeder and Perfetto stacker. The good experience with the Prima S with four feeders and a card gluer, installed seven years ago, and the many years of good relations with the Greek Muller Martini agent, Omnicom, were, according to Stratos Haidemenos, the key reasons why his company again chose Muller Martini. “In addition to that the new PrimaPlus doesn't just provide us with more flexibility, it also allows us to stitch large sizes up to A3.”

More Jobs Are Done In-House
For the company with 200 employees working in three shifts, this means killing two birds with one stone. On the one hand, more customers are to be added to the list of around 1000 from the greater Athens area. On the other hand many jobs can be done in-house today. The new PrimaPlus is also responsible for an increase in production.

Because, the PrimaPlus is loaded with four stream feeders, like the two Avanti log stackers. In addition to commercial work with runs between 1000 and a million copies, more than 60 weekly and monthly magazines are produced.