More efficient workflow is “in the cards” for an Austrian printer using Muller Martini Amrys
The PrimaPlus Amrys (Automatic MakeReady System) Saddle Stitcher
from Muller Martini delivers complete JDF/JMF integration, which for
Bauer Druck in Vienna has meant substantial increases in finishing flexibility and quality...together with considerable financial savings.
During a sales promotion running through all of 2004, Michael Bauer, Executive
Co-Partner of Bauer Druck, a full-service printing operation based in the Austrian capital, distributed Joker cards to his customers with the inscription: “I’ll be your Joker, if others have reached their limit!” The promotion was created to demonstrate to customers how Bauer Druck’s new Muller Martini PrimaPlus Amrys Saddle Stitcher can mean faster project turnarounds for Bauer Druck customers. As part of the promotion, Mr. Bauer made an extraordinary offer to his customers, explaining that if a customer brings their print files in to Bauer Druck (and their Joker card) by 1 o’clock on a Friday afternoon, that customer will have their printed products completed on the following Monday provided that the appropriate paper is available.
Addressing change with advanced technology
“Our industry is still in a period of great change,” explains KR Ing. Michael Bauer. “And flexibility is one of the greatest imperatives here.” For Bauer Druck, flexibility means being able to react rapidly to customer requirements. Michael Bauer also believes flexibility means that production machinery must be set up optimally to suit customer requirements. In keeping with that strategy, this full service operation with approximately 50 employees offering prepress, printing and postpress services recently purchased a Muller Martini PrimaPlus Amrys Saddle Stitcher with eight stations plus folder feeder and sample gluer. Furthermore, using JDF/JMF integration, Bauer Druck has made the new saddle stitcher workflow-capable (please see interview in box).
“Sensational product quality”
A long-time Muller Martini customer who was more than satisfied with an earlier model Muller Martini saddle stitcher, (“which I sold on at a super price”), Michael Bauer is just as passionate about his new PrimaPlus Amrys: “The stability of this saddle stitcher in combination with the electronic system is outstanding, the setup times were already very quick even before JDF/JMF integration, and thanks to the Asir automatic image recognition system, product quality is sensational.”
Significant reduction in setup times
Bauer Druck was founded in 1940 and Michael Bauer represents the second generation of management. Through the years, the company has grown tremendously and now has an extremely diverse job structure. This is why short setup times are so important. Bauer Druck produces no fewer than 48 magazines for large Austrian publishing companies as well as commercial and industrial organizations – including the three leading Austrian advertising magazines “Bestseller,” “Horizont” and “Extradienst.”
Added to these is printed publicity material in a wide variety of formats for many customers that utilize Bauer Druck’s services on a steady basis. “We also get a lot of repeat orders,“ explains Michael Bauer, “The Muller Martini Amrys automatic presetting system with its retrievable data results in significant reductions in our setup times.”
Distinctly fewer errors
With its new PrimaPlus Amrys Saddle Stitcher not only has Bauer Druck expanded its production capacity thanks to improved flexibility and higher speeds, but the company has also considerably reduced the potential for errors. “That’s why I also had to have Amrys without question,” comments Michael Bauer, adding, “This investment has already paid for itself.”
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[Box]:
“Workflow brings us advantages we could no longer afford to do without.”
Michael Bauer, Executive Co-Partner, Bauer Druck, Vienna, talks about the
CIP4-integration of his new Muller Martini PrimaPlus Amrys Saddle Stitcher.
What considerations prompted you to decide on a workflow solution?
Michael Bauer: In view of modified job structures, together with Hiflex, the supplier of our Management Information System (MIS), and Muller Martini, we decided on a workflow solution in order to be fully prepared for the challenges of the future.
What advantages does the workflow solution give you?
The workflow solution brings us several vital improvements in our daily work: a reduction in setup times, a reduction in errors and better control of production – all advantages we could no longer afford to do without.
What kind of experiences have you had with your workflow solution?
It’s most impressive how machine setup times can be shortened with the scheduling data from industry software. Especially in our finishing operation, where we have had some sensational experiences together with Muller Martini where the PrimaPlus Amrys Saddle Stitcher is concerned.
What modifications did you have to make so you were CIP4-capable?
All that was required was a little update to our industry software. When buying production equipment, we have always kept an eye on JDF/JMF-compatibility.
How do you see the costs/benefits ratio as it regards to your workflow solution?
Thanks to our workflow solution we have been able to make [cost/benefit ratio improvements] of up to ten percent. |