A full service printer, Capital serves magazine publishers, professional associations and businesses with high-quality products. Russo observes, "In today's social and economic atmosphere, customers want special processes to upgrade their product, and at the same time they require quick turnarounds. We gear everything toward that end.
In front of the Vijuk 321-T are Nolan Russo, Capital pres. flanked by Albert Yeung (left) and Hans Lodders of Wingfield, Ltd., the manufacturer's reps, and Troy DeAngelis, bindery mgr. (rear).
"Our prepress is now fully digital – state- of-the art – with direct-to-plate or disk-to-matchprint technology. We replaced our four- and five-color presses with three new six color presses and now offer in-line UV coating to improve the look of the products. Because 70% of our work is saddle stitched, we purchased a new Vijuk 321-T Saddle Stitcher to keep postpress in balance."
Russo credits the Vijuk 321-T for making the greatest difference in the quality of his production. "Not to diminish the value of the time, labor, and material savings that we enjoy from the our fully-digital prepress and our expanded press capacity, but the saddle stitcher has improved production and quality of our finished product by 100%. And, it is the finished product that our customers see."
Banking on a known quantity
Troy DeAngelis, bindery supervisor, explains, "Several years ago, we purchased a saddle stitcher that had just made its debut in the U.S. to supplement, if not to replace, a 30-year old saddle stitcher. However, that saddle stitcher did not live up to its advertised claims and our production and product quality suffered. We had to run both machines to keep up with production. The dealer discontinued the line, and it was difficult to get spare parts or service for it."
Last year, Russo saw the Vijuk 321-T Saddle Stitcher in an ad and was intrigued by both its price and capabilities. He says, "I was hesitant, because although it is now solely distributed in the U.S. by Vijuk Equipment and bore its name, it was made by the same manufacturer of our current machine."
After months of discussion and negotiation, Russo decided to purchase the new Vijuk 321-T, because he learned that "the machine had truly undergone a complete redesign based on modifications and recommendations made by ViJuk engineers. The decision was not an easy one due to our experience with the 321-T's predecessor. However, it was ViJuk Equipment's reputation for high-quality equipment and the personal assurances of Joe Vijuk, president and owner, that convinced me to give the manufacturer a second chance."
Immediate performance
According to DeAngelis, "We no longer have to run two saddle stitchers. Almost right out of the box, the 321-T was producing finished booklets at 8,000 to 9,000 per hour. Within the first day, my operators and I were able to set up and run the saddle stitcher. It's certainly easy to set up and operate. Indicator lights on the pockets light up when there is a problem so you can track it down immediately.
"The quality control sensor system with caliper is so good," adds DeAngelis, "we never have bad books. On occasion, when running sensitive material like matte or dull paper that streaks when it runs through the caliper, we have disengaged the caliper and used only the photocells on the pockets and the oblique monitor, and it doesn't produce any bad books. We definitely have improved our quality and ratio of good books." "Previously we had to examine practically every book for scratches, wrinkles or crooked binding," interjects Russo.
Valuing its CE certification, DeAngelis is impressed with its safe operation, "It has safety guards on all the pockets and functional parts and electronic protection that automatically shuts off the machine when there is any movement in hazardous areas."
"Vijuk's service is truly an advantage," continues DeAngelis. "We checked with a few of Vijuk's miniature/pharmaceutical folder customers on the east coast, and they all assured us that the Vijuk service and spare parts delivery is 'as good as it gets.'"
Positive effect on profit margin Russo rates the purchase of the Vijuk 321-T Saddle Stitcher as "a tremendous value – and not only for the price. Since the installation of this new machine, Capital has been able to streamline its stitching production and cut its overtime labor costs."
"We operate the machine 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. Runs that used to take a whole day now take a half day. Every single finished book coming off the 321-T is an office copy-meaning it is perfect and as a result, we have cut our material waste."
Winning and keeping customers
Russo concludes, "Our savings gained from our new digital prepress and the Vijuk 321-T Saddle Stitcher allow our estimators to bid the material closer, the labor cost lower and the turnaround time shorter. That way, we pass on the savings to our customers, and that makes them extremely happy. We are winning more and more jobs, and our business continues to grow. In fact, we are in contention for a large contract. If we win the job, I will purchase another Vijuk 321-T Saddle Stitcher – without hesitation!"
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Written by Jim Plunkett, freelance writer of the graphic arts industry.
Published in the February 2001 Print & Graphics, Printing Journal, Printing Views, and Southern Graphics magazines. Posted on this site with the permission of Cygnus Publications, Timonium, MD.
(A similar article, Capital Advantage, was published in the December 2000 Graphic Arts Monthly.)
(Also see the article on the Vijuk 321-T, Speedy and Reliable Saddle stitching, published in the September 2001 American Printer.)