With the installation of a Muller Martini AmigoPlus perfect binder, Whitson Bindery increases efficiencies and expands sales potential
Whitson Bindery Services Ltd., a 10-employee shop located in Chicago, Illinois, began its business in 1991. In addition to an unwavering dedication to producing top-notch work quickly, the company realizes the importance of utilizing binding equipment it can depend on. 

“When my father Tom and I started Whitson Bindery Services, we purchased a Muller Martini Pony perfect binder sight unseen, knowing it would provide us with the quality and quick set-up time we needed to get our new business off the ground,” says Brian T. Whitson, Vice President and General Manager.  “A few years later, we purchased another Pony, and when we decided it was time to replace that machine, there was no question it would be with another Muller machine.”   That latest machine, installed in June, 2007, is a Muller Martini AmigoPlus perfect binder.  “The AmigoPlus was the upgrade we were looking for,” continues Mr. Whitson.  “Same high quality and quick set-ups plus the added features of side gluing and electronic cut off.” 

Whitson Bindery Services is a trade bindery specializing in short to medium runs.  The company’s customer base includes sheetfed color printers.  “We meet the needs of our customers by producing quick-turn, high quality work,” states Mr. Whitson.  “Our customers can drop off a project and basically forget about it, because they know it will be done on time and right.”  The new AmigoPlus at Whitson Bindery is a key component in the company’s commitment to customer responsiveness.

Complementing the enhancements to operational efficiency and turnaround speed, the AmigoPlus perfect binder has also been instrumental in helping Whitson Bindery Services generate new business growth opportunities.  “With the side gluing and cut off, we have been able to expand the type of jobs that we can accept,” explains Mr. Whitson.  “The AmigoPlus has already brought in some new customers and increased the workflow from our existing customers.”

The affordably priced Muller Martini AmigoPlus is among the world’s most productive perfect binding solutions, engineered for one-person operational efficiency as well as high quality adhesive binding of softcover books, catalogs, annual reports and a wide range of other products.  In addition to being ideal for binding companies that want to broaden their sales and profit potential, AmigoPlus is also a great way for binderies to enter the fast growing and lucrative book-on-demand market.

The AmigoPlus perfect binding system provides infinitely variable speed performance from 300 to 1,500 cycles per hour.  Among the specific advantages of the AmigoPlus are quick set up and changeover, a key to success in the short- and medium-run marketplace.  Menu-guided controls simplify make-ready and minimize supervision requirements.  The bottom feeding cover feeder with four-line scoring delivers crisp results.  Precise glue application and true side gluing ensure exceptional binding durability while heavy-duty nipping provides accurate cover positioning and tight, square backbones.  Muller Martini-exclusive backbone preparation tools ensure superior binding strength even when running coated stock and with heavy ink coverage, enabling short-run operators to achieve commercial quality previously possible only on large perfect binders.