“Increased productivity, no more need for outsourcing, leaner production as a result, and the entire value creation chain covered in-house.” These are the four key advantages anticipated by Markus Gerber, Head of Logistics and Production at Stämpfli Publications Ltd, following the decision by the long-established Bern-based printing business to invest in the new E160 saddle stitching system from Muller Martini – the first of its kind to be installed in Switzerland.

Sealing the deal for Switzerland’s first E160 saddle stitcher: Peter Stämpfli (left), CEO Stämpfli Publications Ltd, and Bruno Muller, CEO Muller Martini.

According to Markus Gerber, the installation of a new Rotoman system produced encouraging results, with Stämpfli Publications Ltd experiencing considerable growth in volume in its saddle stitching business over the past few months. However, it also meant that several of the magazines which the company specializes in producing had to be wire-stitched outwards.

This situation has changed, however, since the commissioning of a new Primera E160 saddle stitcher, complete with a three-knife trimmer, including a fourth and fifth knife attachment, a cover folder feeder, eight flat pile feeders (all with AMRYS and ASIR), a merchandise tipper (with signature control), six stream feeders and a Robusto compensating stacker (with AMRYS). The new saddle stitching line was installed in the middle of August to replace a Bravo system that had been in operation since 1996.

With a Prima AMRYS (manufactured in 1998) as well, Stämpfli Publications Ltd continues to use two Muller Martini saddle stitchers – but now with significantly more flexibility. “Our magazines have print runs ranging from 2,000 to 100,000 copies,” says Markus Gerber. “For smaller print runs in particular, the quick setup times of the new saddle stitcher line satisfy our requirements very well.”